"Space-Monkey's Secret"
Chapter One
One night Jack and Daniel were talking in Jack's living room. Daniel had his head propped on his fist. Jack went to get him some coffee but found Daniel leaning back on the couch in a deep sleep by the time he returned. Jack paused in the doorway, seeing Daniel is asleep. He smiled fondly, shakes his head. He sets the coffee down and eases Daniel down onto couch and covers him with a blanket, then leaves him to sleep. Daniel woke at nearly noon the next day luckily that was SG-1's day off. Jack was on his laptop in the dinning room. Daniel looked around confused for a moment.
"Jack!" He called when he remembered where he was.
Jack turned the sound on his laptop on.
"Dinning room!" He called back.
Daniel got up stretching and walked to Jack.
"Sorry about that."
"Danny, are you OK?" Jack asked.
"Why do you asked?" Daniel asked.
"Last night I came in to check on you after I checked my e-mail and did some paperwork before I went to bed. You were talking in your sleep." Jack explained.
"So?" Daniel asked.
"Whose Buffy and whose Xander?" Jack inquired.
Daniel paled.
"Buffy Ann Summers... Old friend." He gave a half answer.
"Whose Xander?" Jack repeated.
"Alexander Lavelle 'Xander' Harris..." Daniel started.
"The question isn't really who is but who was Xander. He died one Halloween many years ago." He was hesitant to tell Jack everything.
Jack looked at his computer when it made a noise. It was an alert that he had an IM. It was a reply from an old friend.
"If you won't tell me...he will."
"Who?" Daniel asked.
"Ripper." Jack said.
"Rupert Giles?"
"Yeah." Jack stated.
"Why you know him?"
"I do." Daniel said.
"He can't really tell you much after that Halloween years ago."
"At least it would be something." Jack muttered.
Jack started typing.
Hockeyfan1: Ripper, do you know someone named Buffy Summers or a Xander Harris?
SunnydaleWatcher: Buffy is my slayer. Xander was one of our group... He went missing years ago.
Hockeyfan1: Group?
SunnydaleWatcher: He used to go on patrol with Buffy and help with the slaying.
"Slaying with the slayer." Jack said.
"Why would he... You're a watcher?" Daniel asked.
"How do you..." Jack started.
Hockeyfan1: Did he know about Watchers?
SunnydaleWatcher: Yes he does, what's going on?
Hockeyfan1: I'm still trying to figure that out.
"Daniel..." Jack started.
This was a tone that Daniel knew meant Jack was going to get it out of him. Daniel sighed.
"I don't exist, Jack." Daniel said.
Jack gave him a confused look.
"Daniel Jackson doesn't exist." Daniel clarified.
"Danny..." Jack started.
"Someone cast a spell... I forgot who I really for a while... I left Sunnydale while the spell was still in place. So Xander is dead. I was 15 at the time... I got into a college and graduated within a year with a PhD..." Daniel started.
"How old are you really?" Jack asked.
"Would you believe 21... As of tomorrow... Or is it today."
Daniel looked at the corner of Jack's computer to see the date.
"I was wrong it's next week."
"It's new years day." Jack said.
"I know my record says July 8th is my birthday but it's actually January 8th." Daniel said.
"I was 17 when we went to Abydos."
Daniel had been drinking a beer bottle the whole time they talked.
"I really wish we could be having this conversation over beers." Jack said.
"I put a beer by your hand when I got mine." Daniel said.
Jack sighed.
"Got your beer... Danny you're to young." Jack said taking the open beer out of Daniel's hands.
"I've been to young for years. And I'll only to young for a week." Daniel reminded.
"Daniel... Alexander L..." Jack started.
"Jack..." Daniel whined sounding a lot like Jack.
Jack gave him an 'I'm serious' look. Daniel pouted and looked away. Jack could see Charlie a bit in Daniel's behavior now.
"Would you have been like this with my bro... I mean with Charlie?" Daniel corrected.
Jack looked at Daniel.
"I'm still the same Space-Monkey you've known for years." Daniel said.
"I do have something to research."
Daniel stood.
"More rocks?" Jack asked.
Jack was processing all he was told.
"Artifacts, Jack." Daniel responded with instantly.
Daniel grabbed his jacket and started out.
"If Giles knew where I was and what I've been up to... He'd never believe it. Me... Xander a linguist with the military." Daniel told Jack as he walked out and got in his SUV.
Daniel was actually leaving to give Jack time to process and deal with all he was told.
SunnydaleWatcher: Jack, how did you hear about them?
Hockeyfan1: I found Xander. He's the linguist on my team.
SunnydaleWatcher: Xander... a linguist? He doesn't even speak English well.
Jack laughed a bit at that.
Hockeyfan1: Maybe Xander couldn't... Daniel Jackson is a genius. He's the foremost expert in ancient languages and culture.
"He's a liar." Jack said to himself.
'That's not fair he didn't remember the truth so it wasn't on purpose. I wonder when he remembered all this.'
SunnydaleWatcher: I want to meet this Daniel Jackson.
Hockeyfan1: Maybe you will. I have to go do some thinking.
SunnydaleWatcher: So... heading to the gym then?
Hockeyfan1: Am I that predictable?
SunnydaleWatcher: To me you are.
Hockeyfan1 has logged off.
Jack stood and went to talk to Teal'C. On the way he was trying to decide what he would tell him.
Daniel actually went to the gym on the base.
"Son?" Came a voice.
Daniel turned to look at the door.
"General..." He started.
"What are you doing down here?"
"I may not look it. But, I do still do a weekly workout... And George." He said.
"You're a civilian and it's SG-1's day off."
"Of course, George." Daniel said.
There was a look on his face that told General Hammond that something was bothering Daniel.
"Want to talk about it, son?" General Hammond asked.
"I'm not sure I want anyone but my da- the Colonel and myself to know." Daniel said.
"Daniel..." General Hammond started.
"It would change to much to quickly." Daniel said.
"Jack just needs some time... Can I work with another team today... I don't want to be on Earth right now." He requested.
"Doctor Jackson..." General Hammond started.
"Please." Daniel plead.
General Hammond sighed.
"SG-21 could use you're help but, they're leaving in an hour and you haven't been briefed."
"Get me a briefing packet and I'll get ready." Daniel said.
General Hammond left the gym to do that.
Jack knocked on Teal'C's door when he got there.
"Enter." He heard.
Jack walked in looking bothered by something.
"O'Neill, is something wrong?" Teal'C asked.
"I just found out something about Danny and I'm not sure what to think." Jack admitted.
"Do you wish to tell me about it O'Neill?" Teal'C asked.
"Well for starters he's a lot younger then any of us ever suspected." Jack said.
"How much younger?" Came a question from the open door.
Jack looked and saw Sam.
"He was 17 on Abydos." Jack said.
"17 on Abydos... but that means..." Sam started trying to do some quick mental math.
"He's 20 now. Turns 21 on the 8th... of January." Jack said before Sam could do the mental math.
'Wait... the 8th was Charlie's birthday.'
Jack flashback to the conversation with Daniel.
"Would you have been like this with my bro... I mean with Charlie?"
'Had Daniel almost called Charlie brother?' Jack wondered.
Jack stood abruptly and left the room. He needed help to confirm his suspicions. Sam gave Teal'C a 'do you think we should follow' look.
"If he wanted us to accompany him he would have asked us to." Teal'C said.
Quickly Jack got to his destination.
"Dr. Frasier..."
"Colonel O'Neill, what brings this unexpected visit?"
"This may sound like an odd request." Jack said.
"What is it?" Dr. Frasier asked now even more curious.
"I want you to compare my DNA and Danny's." Jack stated.
Dr. Frasier looked confused.
"Just something Danny said." Jack answered.
"It could be a while." Dr. Frasier informed.
Jack nodded. Jack soon went back to Teal'C's room.
AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER
Jack went to Daniel's office when he heard he had come on base. There was no sign of Daniel. Half and hour after that Frasier came into Jack's office.
"Dr. Frasier..." Jack started.
"Jack, The DNA test shows that Dr. Jackson is your son, What exactly is going on here?" Dr. Frasier demands.
Jack Shocked Responds "I'll let you know when I have that figured out, Doc. Believe me I'm having trouble figuring it out."
Jack then bolts up rushing down the corridors to the Generals Office barging through the briefing room and knocking on the open doorway. General Hammond looks up slightly surprised
"Colonel" He starts "Can I help you?" the general asks
"Yes Sir, I need to talk to Daniel, have you seen him?" Jack enquirers.
"Not in the last hour and we probably won't hear from him until tomorrow." General Hammond said.
"Why's that, sir?" Jack asked.
"He's off-base." General Hammond said.
Twenty-four hours passed and the scheduled check in for SG-21 came and went but they didn't make contact. General Hammond went to Jack's office where the three were talking.
"Colonel, I need SG-1 to go on a rescue mission." General Hammond said.
"With all due respect, Sir. Send SG-6 it's their department." Jack said.
"We're a man down."
"Colonel, I thought you would want to be involved because Dr. Jackson is with the captured team." General Hammond said.
Jack paled a moment before getting a focus and level of determination the rest of SG-1 had never seen and General Hammond had only seen when it came to one other and that was Charlie.
"Let's rescue our man." Jack said to Sam and Teal'C.
The pair nodded.
"Be easier to slip in with just us." Jack suggested.
"You can have one of the other teams on standby."
General Hammond nodded.
"Take some extra weapons and a field medical kit to patch up any injuries until you can get them back here."
The group nodded.
"SG-21 is a small team only one member besides Dr. Jackson on this mission." General Hammond said.
The group split up to do respective task. Teal'C and Jack to get some weapons for a team of five and Sam to get an emergency field medic kit. After they had the weapons Jack checked his messages on the IM on his phone and saw one from his friend Ripper requesting to be kept appraised.
Hockeyfan1: Don't worry I will.
SunnydaleWatcher: Good.
Hockeyfan1: Hey, you don't happen to know a Willow Rosenburg do you?
SunnydaleWatcher: As a matter of fact I do. She was one of our group and helped the Slayer.
Hockeyfan1: So she knows about the Watchers and magic?
SunnydaleWatcher: You could say that... she's a good witch.
"That could be useful in getting out." Jack muttered.
Hockeyfan1: I hate to tell you but, Airwoman Rosenburg is MIA. I'm going to rescue her now so maybe out of contact a while.
SunnydaleWatcher: Be careful, Jack.
Hockeyfan1: I always am.
Jack turned off his cellphone. Soon the team was ready. They sent a M.A.L.P to make sure it was safe then went through. They quickly found the enemy HQ and went in. They split up. Jack found the two in a cell. Daniel wasn't moving. Willow stood quickly when she saw the Colonel.
"Willow, can you magic the door open?" Jack asked.
"Sir..." Willow started playing dumb at first.
"Ripper told me you're a witch and help the slayer." Jack stated.
"Ripper... you know Giles?" Willow asked.
"Went to THE Academy together." Jack said in code.
Willow's eyes widened.
"Oh..." Willow started.
Her eyes changed color and the door quickly opened. Daniel groaned. Jack ran to check Daniel. Jack gave him a once over.
'He doesn't look hurt but never know with internal injuries.' Jack thought.
"Danny...Xander come on wake up." Jack said.
Daniel's eyes opened. Daniel panicked for a second.
"Easy, son." He heard a familiar voice say.
"Jack?" Daniel asked softly.
"Yeah, let's blow this Popsicle stand." Jack suggested.
"Jack...I can't see." Daniel informed.
Jack stared at him a moment shocked. Then put one of Daniel's hands on his shoulder.
"Don't worry about that right now. Let's get you back to base. Unless Ms. Rosenburg can teleport us to the others." Jack said.
"I can, sir." Willow agreed.
"Wills...here?" Daniel asked surprised.
"Wills?" Jack inquired.
"Focus on the magic and we'll talk later." Daniel assured Willow.
The trio appeared with Teal'C and Sam who had just met up.
"Colonel..." Sam started surprised.
"Let's get out here." Jack said.
Teal'C nodded. Jack led Daniel to the gate and Sam dialed the DHD.
"Take him through first." Willow said.
She, Sam and Teal'C were going to offer cover fire if need be.
"Wills...be careful." Daniel said.
"I will." She assured.
Jack moved behind Daniel and gently guided him to and gently pushed him into the event horizon. Daniel materialized seconds later in the SGC since Jack had sent SG-1 IDC. Jack appeared a second later and took one of Daniel's hands and put it on his shoulder.
"I'm going to take him to the infirmary." Jack told General Hammond who nodded.
Sam, Teal'C and Willow appeared not long after Jack and Daniel left the room.
"Dr. Frasier..." Jack started.
"Daniel..." Dr. Frasier started worried.
"He's OK. But..." Jack started.
"But, what?" Dr. Frasier asked.
"I can't see." Daniel said.
Dr. Frasier ran some test.
"Can Daniel and I have a minute?" Jack requested while they waited for the results.
"Of course." She said and gestured to the nurses to give them privacy.
The infirmary was emptied except for Jack and Daniel.
"How long have you known?" Jack asked anger being repressed.
"Known what?" Daniel replied with playing dumb unsure what Jack knew.
"That you're my son." Jack said.
"Oh that a few days." Daniel answered.
"What have you been doing to the point of exhaustion?" Jack asked.
"Um... would you believe patrolling for slayage?" Daniel inquired.
"Slayage?" Jack repeated.
"Sorry that's a Buffyism. Vampires." Daniel responded.
"I go on patrol whenever they have an unexplained death in Colorado Springs."
"Why don't we do that together when your sight comes back." Jack suggested.
Daniel smiled and nodded.
"Daniel..." Started a voice.
"Sam?" Daniel asked.
"Weather we tell them or not is up to you." Jack whispered.
"Everything or is it just up to me about my sight." Daniel whispered back.
"What you decide to tell them is up to you." Jack said, something was wrong but Daniel couldn't put his finger on it.
"Sir?" Sam asked confused.
"It's kinda hard to explain...but I'm Charlie's brother." Daniel started with.
Daniel noticed that he could only hear himself and Sam breathing then a thud.
"Sam, what's going on?" Daniel asked.
"Daniel..." Sam started.
"I can't see." Daniel said.
Sam first yelled for Dr. Frasier. Dr. Frasier ran in and started working. Sam took Daniel's hand but said nothing.
"Sam?" Daniel tried again.
"Colonel O'Neill collapsed. Dr Frasier is working on him." Sam finally answered.
A few minutes later Dr. Frasier sighed.
"Janet... How is he?" Daniel asked.
"I'm afraid he's in a coma." Dr. Frasier said.
"Oh for crying out loud!" Daniel exclaimed.
A few days later Daniel was allowed to go to his office and see what he could make of some new artifacts by touch.
To Be Continued