A/N: Here I go again. I really didn't have a plan to write yet another fanfic, but this idea came to me and a friend and I couldn't resist writing the story. Not sure yet exactly where this story will take me…us…but if you're up to the journey I'd love to have you tag along and see where this thing goes. I will warn you however, that there will be references to my other fanfics, especially "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine." I've transferred Alexa Stephens into this story, so if you want to know her background and why she's a part of this story…you may want to read that fic first, but it's not necessary. And now on with the show…
Prologue:
"You know they won't let us do this."
"You worry too much."
"You don't think about these things. You know what they'll do when they find out we're attempting this."
"Myrddin pulled off his experiments."
"That's because deep down the Council wanted him to succeed."
"And you don't think they want us to?"
"We're messing with the very fabric of all existence; they'll say the consequences far outweigh the possibilities. Remember their reaction to Janus? Or how about when those three came to Atlantis from the future…remember how they reacted to that?"
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Three words: O'Neill, human, lower plane."
"That's four words."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Jack yawned and stretched. It had already been a long day and it was only 1030. He sighed heavily as he thought about the rest of his day. He had until 1300 to finish going through the SGC files and eat lunch, because he had a meeting with the Joint Chiefs that would probably take the rest of the day.
"Mrs. Watson?" Jack called his secretary. "Have we gotten all the updated files from the SGC? He paused as she answered. "Well, I was just looking for…"
Jack stopped midsentence as two people suddenly appeared in his office. There was no bright light so it wasn't Asgard technology that brought them. He sighed heavily - somehow he knew that his day had just gotten more complicated.
"I'll have to get back to you Mrs. Watson, something just came up." Jack remembered the phone in his hand. "No, no…everything is fine, but I'm not to be disturbed for awhile." Jack listened. "I know, Mrs. Watson, as much as I'd like to…of course Mrs. Watson, thank you." And Jack hung up.
Throughout the second part of Jack's conversation with Mrs. Watson, his eyes hadn't left his two visitors, nor theirs him. Jack set the phone down slowly, still watching his guests.
"You do realize that my office has security cameras." Jack finally said.
The two shared a look before the shorter took a step forward. "That problem is momentarily taken care of, but won't be for long. My name is Thalin, my associate is Korin – we have come seeking asylum."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Jack was melting under his secretary's stare.
"Something came up?" She asked as one eyebrow climbed higher.
"It's an old problem really." Jack supplied. "So old it could be considered ancient."
Both of Mrs. Watson's eyebrows shot up at Jack's double meaning. "You mean…?"
"I'm afraid I can't say anymore than that at the moment, Mrs. Watson. Give my regards to the Joint Chiefs." Jack turned and headed toward the door, but stopped before going through. "I'm past due on an inspection of NORAD and Peterson, look into it will you?"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Jack paused and took a deep breath before entering his apartment. Pushing the door open, he took in the sight of Thalin and Korin arguing in a corner of his living room. Allowing the door to close loudly, he used it to announce his presence.
Both Thalin and Korin jumped at the sudden sound. Turning, they both relaxed marginally at seeing Jack had arrived.
"So…" Jack began as he moved into the room and sat on the couch. "…why are two Ancients asking us lower life forms for asylum?"
"Alterans." Korin corrected.
"Excuse me?" Jack asked.
"My apologies, General." Thalin intervened. "I'm afraid Korin thinks I'm overreacting by asking for asylum.
"But what did he mean by Alterans?" Jack insisted.
"Our race was originally known as the Alterans." Thalin explained. "It wasn't until the time of our ascension that we became known as the Ancients or Ancestors as those in the Pegasus galaxy call us."
"So where does 'Lantians' come from?" Jack asked.
"A name the wraith gave us." Korin answered. "Given because we lived on Atlantis."
"Ah huh." Jack mused. "So…back to your reason for requesting asylum. You're members of the race that built the stargate. Ascended beings with the knowledge of the universe, what could you possibly be hiding from?"
"The rest of our people."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Jack sat massaging his temples. "Carter would kick my ass if she knew I was even considering your request. Of course Daniel would probably be right behind her to finish the job."
"I do not understand." Thalin spoke up. "Would your team not help us?"
"Daniel would be excited to learn about your pre-ascension culture…but would say we're interfering where we have no right." Jack explained. "And Carter…" he shook his head. "Something about the grandfather paradox."
"Our people have another term for it, but it is one of the reasons we seek asylum." Thalin replied.
Jack looked up. "I don't understand."
"Are you aware how many times SG1 and other SG teams have been pulled out of bad situations at the last minute?" Thalin asked.
"I try not to think about it." Jack grumbled. "Makes me feel even more mortal I already do. No one likes to think about how close they came to death."
"That is the point, O'Neill." Korin interjected.
"What Korin is trying to say," Thalin interrupted. "is that according to your past we've already intervened. If we hadn't, if you don't grant us asylum and allow us to do our work, you and most of your friends will be dead and the Goa'uld will rule the galaxy."
"Damn."