Set around the time of the end of season seven and the invasion of Earth by the system lord Anubis. Some season 7 spoilers.

CHAPTER ONE

THE RETURN

Kate tensed in her seat as the helicopter bobbed and weaved through the snow swept mountains to the coastline. Then just as Kate was sure she was about to throw up….Jack announced that he'd "spotted the helipad" and was "bringing this baby in to land."

Thanks to Jack's excellent piloting skills and not one minute too soon the helicopter touched down safely.

"How crazy was that!" Daniel exclaimed "If I'd have known there was a snowstorm brewing I'd have been a bit reluctant to go up in this thing."

As Jack removed his helmet, Kate noticed he was obviously miffed at Daniel's lack of confidence in him. He huffed as he flicked the few remaining switches and the rotors came to a slow halt.

Daniel opened the sliding door to the howling wind and snow and jumped down hastily, then helping Kate from the helicopter, the three of them made a dash towards a large glass door. Kate's knees had already turned to jelly during the flight but when she heard a loud rattling and looked up to catch sight of the large radio tower swaying too and fro, she stopped dead in her tracks.

A few feet in front of them Jack waved his key fob in front of the sensor and the double doors slid open allowing him to enter. He turned and stood in the open doorway and beckoned them to hurry up inside. "Come on, lets get this door shut before we all freeze to death!" he shouted as he knocked back the fur lined hood on his jacket.

Kate was apprehensive as Daniel ushered her inside and the doors automatically closed behind them.

….

Jack unzipped his large oversized jacket and slipping it off he tossed it to one side. Wrapped in only a flimsy air force blanket Kate shuddered and was about to retrieve the jacket when she was quickly hustled through another set of doors and out of the lobby into the corridor.

"You have to love this place!" he exclaimed directing his enthusiasm towards Kate who was just a little sceptical. "The generator was never turned off so we actually have 'heating and instant hot water."

Kate could sense a hint of sarcasm in his slightly exaggerated words and was about to quiz him on who had arranged for Teal'c to drop them off at the cabin in the fall... when Jack began his guided tour of the facility.

"We won't all be sharing one bedroom either as the facility has ten rooms all with beds, each with on suite and WC."

Kate was about to mention that her cabin had a toilet but she hadn't the strength or the will to argue with Jack while he was being such a pain then… facing the corridor, she gazed trance-like as she remembered when she was first brought to the lab by Caroline Dexter. She was startled by Daniel as he grabbed her arm and yanked her off in the other direction.

"Here to our right we have the lounge," gestured Jack pointing towards the familiar room where Kate had partaken of the deliciously frothy, hot chocolate and inadvertently learned about the Stargate and the existence of tiny grey aliens called the Asgard.

The three of them walked a little further with Kate and Daniel almost falling into Jack as he stopped abruptly before the next set of doors. "My favourite place!" exclaimed Jack smacking his lips. It was of course the kitchen and refectory that, "for some strange reason, they always stocked an over excessive amount of mandolin coffee and out-of–date walnut and chocolate chip cookies," Jack added pursing his lips.

Daniel raised his eyebrows and tilted his head making Kate smile. Daniel was obviously frustrated at having to constantly correct Jack on the pronunciation of his favourite brand of coffee.

Rubbing her arms Kate shuddered again.

"Jack!" Daniel interrupted, "why don't you show Kate the…"

Jack broke him off with a sharp "Ssh! I'm getting there" and raised his hand to Daniel not to say another word.

Daniel suddenly became aware that his jacket was leaving a wet trail and distracted Jack slightly by going over and hanging it on the back of a chair that had been randomly left in the corridor.

As Daniel resumed his position Jack announced that they had arrived at the Infirmary, making Kate feel a sudden pang of guilt as she remembered how Jack had ended up in there.

Walking on Kate noticed the foreboding sign on the next door,

No Entry

Authorised Personnel Only.

….which Jack ignored obviously being authorised.

He swiped the card in the lock and opened the door and peered inside and Kate noticed one of the large metal caskets where Dex had created her countless clones.

The room attracted no further comments only more shivers from Kate as she surveyed the cold eerie stillness of the room.

Jack quickly closed the door and they walked on eventually coming to the end of the corridor and a large pale blue metallic door. Kate could sense Daniels excitement as he took her arm. Jack took out some keys and slowly unlocked the door, then handed them to Kate, who was a just a little dumbfounded.

"I think you might want to keep those somewhere safe!" said Jack smiling gently and wrapping her fingers around them.

Kate was stunned and felt a slight palpitation as Jack let go of her hand and pushed open the door leading her inside.

…

The warm air was the first thing to hit them and then a sickly sweet concoction of smells that was almost intoxicating. Daniel quickly closed the door, sneezing as he did so, while Kate stood gobsmacked at the sight before her.

They were in a large glass domed room which was at least 30ft high and it had a small blue ceiling that Kate had noticed as they approached the lab on her first flight to the island just over 18 months ago.

Kate stood in awe looking at what resembled a rain-forest before her, she could hear the gentle trickling of water, but noticed a complete lack of soil. The sight took her breath away and the only way she could describe it was an hydroponic jungle.

Jack looked over at Daniel with one of his "I knew she'd like it" smirks, to which Daniel acknowledged by giving a true description of the domed garden.

"It's a little more than a just a hydroponic jungle!" Daniel exclaimed making Kate look up and prompting him to tell her more.

"The proper name for it is a C.E.L.S.S!" he continued, gradually building up to his usual fast-paced ramble. "It stands for Controlled Ecological Life Support System," he paused to lick his lips then continued. "Russia was the first country to develop the idea during the space race and there are still only a select few scattered around the globe. The idea was to create a self-supporting life-support system for use on space stations and colonies, maybe like on the moon for example, typically through controlled closed ecological systems."

"It's amazing!" Kate gasped as she tried to take it all in.

Daniel beamed. "So does this mean you'll stay?" Daniel asked unable to contain his enthusiasm.

Kate stuttered. "Stay?….I don't understand!"

"What's there to understand? Interrupted Jack "It's all yours to keep... to grow things…that's if you want to," he added, apparently miffed again as Daniel seemed to be getting such a buzz out of Kate's surprise gift.

"We both decided that you'd be the perfect person to leave in charge here."

Kate looked over at Jack who's mischievous smile and penetrating stare made her quiver, but there was something about the whole leaving her in charge business that made her somewhat wary.

"I don't know the first thing about hydroponic gardening, apart from the fact that you don't need soil?" Kate replied turning to Daniel.

"The computer was never turned off, so it's on auto and it's been feeding the garden ever since it was abandoned, that's why it's gone a little crazy. All you have to do is tidy it up a little."

Jack decided Kate needed a little more convincing "Daniel!" he interrupted, coughing "Don't you have somewhere to go?"

"Somewhere to go?" enquired Daniel not quite getting Jack's initial hint until he caught sight of Jack's gesturing glances directed at the door.

"Oh, Yes! I forgot my books in the helicopter!" replied Daniel pouting as he turned to leave.

Kate suddenly felt flushed as she always did when she was alone with Jack and as he approached her she barely noticed Daniel walk out of the door. Suddenly she remembered the letter that she had found in her boot.