Title: Past, Present, and Future
Summary: Daniel gets the chance to change a horrific event in his past, but to what cost?
Rating: T
Disclaimer: As always I do not own Stargate or any of the characters in it.
Chapter 1: Remembrance
Daniel Jackson hurried to get ready for SG-1's mission to P5A-883. He hadn't slept well the previous night and thus had gotten a late start to his day. He had been awake tossing and turning all night remembering that today was the anniversary of Sha're's death. Even though it had been many years since he had lost his wife, the anniversary of her death always made him sad. He missed her still, and waking up to her picture on his nightstand did nothing to help matters.
Daniel sighed and put on his green uniform jacket.
He heard a knock at the door to his quarters.
"Who is it?"
"It's me darling, can I come in?"
Daniel really didn't want to be bothered by Vala, but he let her in anyway. "Yeah sure."
She entered not bothering to close the door behind her. Daniel looked up and saw that she had one of her ridiculous sparkly hair clips in hair. "You know, the leaders of the world we are going to might not take you seriously with your silly hair accessories and little girl hairstyle." He motioned to her pigtails.
She twirled her hair in her fingers. "I don't care, I'll do what I want with my hair. Now, Mitchell told me to come get you, it's almost time to go."
"I know, I'm just running late."
Vala frowned at Daniel, noticing the weary, sad look on his face. "Are you okay Daniel? You look upset."
Daniel looked at Vala and saw the concern in her eyes. He knew that she wouldn't let it go until he told her. He went over to his nightstand and picked up the picture of Sha're. "It's the anniversary of my wife's death." He looked down to study the picture.
Vala walked over to Daniel. "Oh, I'm so sorry darling. Hug?" She put her arms out.
He nodded and she wrapped her arms around him. He held her tightly for a moment, enjoying the comfort of a friend.
Cameron Mitchell chose that time to walk into the still open door to Daniel's quarters. "Whoa, am I interrupting something?"
Vala pulled away from Daniel and scowled at Cameron. "No, I was just comforting Daniel. Today is the anniversary of his wife's death and he needed a hug."
Cam's cheery face fell. "I'm sorry man, I didn't know."
Daniel attempted a smile at him. "Thanks, I'll be okay, just had trouble sleeping last night."
A short while later, Daniel, Vala, Cam, Sam, and Teal'c arrived at P5A-883. They had already spoken to the leader and they were going to discuss possible trade and alliance agreements.
A middle aged man with graying hair greeted them at the stargate. "Hello and welcome to Filora! I am Haren, the leader that you spoke with previously."
The members of SG-1 introduced themselves in turn. Another man came up and introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Rogy, I am the town historian. Are any of you interesting in learning about our history and culture?"
All eyes turned to look at Daniel. He smiled. "I definitely am, but we came to talk about trade and a possible alliance."
Mitchell spoke up. "Hey Jackson, why don't you and Vala go with the historian and Sam, Teal'c, and I will deal with the alliance and trade agreements."
Daniel looked at Cam thankfully. "Yeah, I'd like that. You okay with that Vala?"
She shrugged. "Sure, trade meetings bore me anyway."
With that, Daniel and Vala followed Rogy, while Cam, Sam, and Teal'c went with Haren.
Rogy showed Vala and Daniel the town square first, where children were busy playing. Daniel was excited to begin to learn about this new planet, especially because it would help to take his mind off of Sha're.
Rogy was explaining some of the local customs when Daniel heard a strange noise behind him. He swiftly turned around to see one of the children clutching at his throat and gasping for air.
"He's choking on his food!" Another child screamed in horror.
Daniel rushed into action immediately. He had long ago learned the Heimlich maneuver and CPR. He started the Heimlich on the child to force the food out of his throat, eventually the food dislodged, but it was too late. Daniel quickly rushed in to perform CPR and save the boy's life.
Rogy, Vala, and half of the village had gathered around to see if Daniel could save the child's life.
After several attempts and many tense moments, the boy started to cough. Another villager quickly came by and picked up the child to take him to their medical center.
Daniel got up and was met by thunderous applause.
"That is Haren's son," Rogy said to Daniel. "You saved his life."
Daniel smiled. "I did what I could."
Vala came over and beamed at him. "I don't know what you call what you did there, but you seemed to bring that boy back from death."
"It's just some basic medical training, but I'm glad he will be okay."
At that point, Haren came rushing over to them. "I heard what happened. Where is my son?"
Rogy soothed him. "It's okay, Thea took him to the medical center. Daniel saved his life."
Haren turned to Daniel and hugged him. "Thank you! I could never properly repay you."
Daniel was shocked that everybody saw him as a hero, he was just doing what he was taught. "There is no need to repay me."
Haren ignored Daniel and turned back to Rogy. "I know you don't like to do it anymore, but how about you offer Daniel The Choice."
Rogy looked surprised. "You sure Haren? You know what that could mean."
Daniel listened to them in confusion. What choice? What was going on?
Haren nodded sincerely. "Yes, I know, but it used to be the highest honor that we had for someone in this town. He deserves such an honor."
"Umm, what honor?" Daniel finally spoke up.
"Yeah, what does he get?" Vala asked sidling up next to Daniel.
Haren smiled at Daniel. "Go with Rogy, he will explain it all to you."
Rogy took Daniel into one of the buildings and had him sit in a dimly lit room.
"Sit down and place your left hand, palm up on the table." Rogy sat down, and Daniel did as he was told.
He was extremely nervous as to what was happening. Haren had said that it was a great honor, but who knew what that meant to the people of this alien world. "Can you tell me what you are going to do?"
Rogy stared at him from across the table. "I will look into your past and offer you The Choice. When I am done looking, I will explain more."
Rogy took Daniel left hand and inspected it thoroughly. He reminded Daniel of a palm reader back on Earth, if that was all that this was, then it was just nonsense.
Rogy suddenly flinched and an odd look came to his eyes as he looked at Daniel. "You have experienced great loss in your life. One in particular was several years ago today."
Daniel wrenched his hand away, frightened. "How...how could you know that?"
"I don't know really, it is a gift I was born with. That loss several years ago still haunts you, you still miss your wife."
Daniel's mind was spinning by what Rogy was saying. He knew about Sha're. "Of course I still miss her. What does this have to do with a choice?"
Rogy looked at Daniel gravely. "I am giving you an opportunity."
"What's that?" Daniel asked warily.
"I am giving you the opportunity to go back in time and save your wife."
End of Chapter one. Little bit of a cliffhanger! :)
-J
~Oh and to the person who nominated one of my stories for a GateFic award thank you so much! I really appreciate it!