After a brief conversation and the payment of another rather sizable bribe to the morgue attendant, Dr. Jackson's articles were found and returned to him. Happy to be clothed again, Daniel rejoined the others. The quartet of humans (2 living, 1 alive again and 1 thrice-ascended) proceeded out of the building in the direction of Ned's car.
Ned headed towards the driver's door with Daniel following behind him, planning to take the left rear seat. Upon stepping off the curb, however, Daniel tripped. As he tumbled downwards, he flailed his arms. With one swing, his wrist connected solidly with Ned's hand.
A collective gasp was heard as Daniel fell to the ground. Ned and Chuck held their breaths for a few moments, too stunned to do anything else. Emerson rolled his eyes, muttering about how much money this was going to cost him.
As Chuck regained her bearings and hurried to Daniel's side to take a look, he surprised all of them by groaning and rolling over.
"I'm OK," he mumbled.
"You're not dead!" Ned cried out.
"Uh, no. You cured me of that a few minutes ago, remember?" Daniel said sarcastically.
"But... but..." Ned stammered. "I touched you again. You should be dead!"
"Well, I'm still here," a slightly offended Daniel stated.
"What I believe Ned is trying to say is that the second touch you just received, based all his previous experiences, should have left you permanently dead," Chuck interjected, trying to placate Daniel. "It must have something to do with your ascension. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing a spark when you touched."
"Now that you mention it, I didn't feel one, either," Ned added.
"Do you realize what this means? If I could figure out how to ascend, we would finally be able to touch!" Chuck exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh, goody!" Emerson muttered sarcastically.
"And even if you can't," Daniel added, ignoring Emerson's aside, "maybe there's some other technology we could use to neutralize the effects."
"That's great, but could we continue this discussion in the car on the way to collect the reward and some pie, preferably in that order?" Emerson gruffly demanded.
It was decided that the best way to accomplish both of Emerson's goals was to drive to the Pie Hole. Daniel went upstairs into Ned and Chuck's apartment in order to have some privacy to make a call to the SGC on his secure cell phone while the others invaded the bakery.
Mindful that if he announced that he was not dead (anymore) he might lose the chance to catch his killer, Daniel asked for Chief Master Sergeant Harriman, telling them that it was Space Monkey calling. After a quick identity verification with the Chief, Daniel was transferred to General Landry.
Agreeing with Daniel's assessment of the situation and that his resurrection should be temporarily kept off the record, the General told him to stay where he was and that the rest of SG-1 had already been sent to Lakeshore to investigate his demise. General O'Neill had also been informed and would be meeting the team there.
Once he rejoined Emerson and Chuck in a booth in the cafe, Daniel recounted the basics of his conversation.
"So if you're staying for a while, does that mean you can teach me how to ascend?" Chuck asked excitedly as she grabbed his arm and looked at him with a bright, hopeful and expectant expression.
"Well, I can try," Daniel replied, uncertain if it would work but more than willing to attempt it.
"That's just peachy," Emerson said, sarcasm radiating strongly from both his tone and the smile on his face. "What I want to know is when do I get my big fat check?"
"About that," Daniel said hesitantly.
"Oh, do NOT tell me that they're trying to welsh on my payment!" Emerson objected loudly.
"Well, technically, you haven't found my killer yet,'" Daniel justified as he leaned away from the man across the table. He paused a moment before adding, "Do you realize how weird that sounds?"
Dropping his voice so he wouldn't be overheard in the restaurant and leaning forward menacingly, Emerson growled out, "Bringing you back from the dead wasn't good enough?"
Daniel backed further into the vinyl upholstery of the booth. "Well, if it was up to me, I'd say yes. But I guess they want you to finish the investigation before they hand over the reward."
"That's just great. Now I actually have to go do some real legwork!" Emerson complained.
"In the meantime, let's go upstairs so I can start on this path to ascension!" Chuck cried enthusiastically, pushing Daniel off of the bench and dragging him towards the exit. Before reaching the exit, she stopped, changed directions and went into the kitchen to tell Ned where they were headed. Receiving his whole-hearted blessing (along with a kiss through a piece of Saran wrap), Daniel and Chuck proceeded upstairs.
Daniel decided the best way to set the environment was to recreate the atmosphere on Kheb where he had first learned about ascension. They pushed back all the furniture in the living room and arranged a ring of candles.
"This feels very Buddhist," Chuck commented as they sat down.
"It is," Daniel explained. "The first time I learned about ascension was in something like a Buddhist temple."
"Great!" Chuck exclaimed. "I'm quite familiar with Eastern religions."
"The path to ascension requires you to release your burdens," Daniel said once they began their meditation.
"That shouldn't be too hard," Chuck replied. "I've already been dead. How much more released can my burdens be?"
"But you aren't dead anymore," Daniel countered. "You still have cares and concerns in this world, notably your family and friends. You must release your hold on them to ascend to the next plane of existence."
"Alright," Chuck said with a frown.
After a couple of minutes, she opened her eyes and gave a sigh. "It doesn't seem to be working," she said with a pout.
Daniel chuckled. "You've only been at it a few minutes. Most people dedicate their entire lives to ascending. Don't give up yet."
"How come it was so easy for you?" Chuck asked.
"Well, I've had some practice. Also, each time I've ascended, it's been when I'm on the verge of death. It's a lot easier to release my cares when I know there's nothing left that I can do about them," Daniel noted.
"So, what are you going to do? Kill me again?" Chuck asked nervously. She thought about it for a moment before adding, "I'm not even sure I can die again unless Ned touches me. Ned's dog, Digby, never even ages."
"No, I don't think that's necessary," Daniel reassured her. He frowned and thought about it some more before he spoke again. "Maybe I should ascend and then help you the same way that I was helped. I have the knowledge, and apparently the ability, in my subconscious. Maybe I can restart along the path in order to transfer that knowledge to you."
"OK," she replied.
Daniel took a few moments to center himself before he began shaking again. 10 seconds later, he took on a glowing form before disappearing from view. Chuck sat in silent contemplation for a minute before he reappeared, looking different. He was now wearing a cream colored sweater and no longer using glasses.
"Very nice," Chuck commented as she appraised his new appearance.
"Thanks," Daniel said self-consciously. "Alright, I want to try something. I'm going to share my knowledge with you psychically. You will have to open your mind to me so that we can do this sharing of souls. It's probably going to feel a bit weird."
"Ooh, psychic powers! Will I get those when I ascend, too?" she asked eagerly.
"Well, let's see if this even works first. I've never tried it before," Daniel cautioned.
"Alright," Chuck replied. She closed her eyes and centered herself before announcing that she was ready.
A few moments later, Daniel was also set to begin. He had reverted to his energy form, with just his face still appearing human. As he wrapped several tendrils of energy around Chuck's head, he was surprised to find that the transfer of information was not unidirectional. He was absorbing her memories as he transferred his own, and was shocked at the depth of her knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. 'After this is over, perhaps she'll want to come work with us,' he thought.
Before long, the knowledge transfer was complete. Chuck opened her eyes and gasped when she saw Daniel glowing brightly, his face only inches from hers.
"Wow," she said in awe. "It all makes so much more sense now. I've always wondered about the interconnectivity of seemingly disparate religions and societies. If they were all influenced by aliens, that explains a lot."
Daniel looked at her in shock, mixed with a little trepidation. "You weren't supposed to get that…"
"Oh, I got a lot more than that," Chuck added.
"How much more?" he asked nervously.
"Let's say that I'm sorry about how you lost Sha're, but I'm sure she would have been happy for you and Vala," she stated. Daniel's sharp intake of breath caused her to explain further. "I really wasn't trying to invade your privacy. You transferred the infinite knowledge of the universe, but some of your key memories were more prominent. I couldn't fully control the flow of knowledge at first, so some of it slipped through. I promise not to tell anyone else, but if you ever feel like you need to talk, I am a really good listener."
"Thanks for the offer," he replied, smiling weakly. After a few moments of brooding, he reformed using his residual self-image and returned to the task at hand. "Do you think you're ready to try to ascend?"
"I don't think you're going to be able to help me," Chuck stated. "The Others would interfere. I'm surprised that they haven't already stepped in. In fact, I'm shocked that they didn't just refuse to let you ascend to begin with. Either way, though, I think I'll have to do it on my own. With everything you've just given me, I shouldn't have any trouble reaching the mental activity threshold as I try to process everything I've just learned. As for the spiritual component, I'm ready to give that a try now."
"Very well," Daniel agreed. He reached forward and held his palms just above hers. "I'm going to monitor your physical condition while you do this, but I won't interfere."
Chuck nodded, closing her eyes again and trying to focus using some of the meditation techniques she had picked up over the years. As she slipped deeper into her trance-like state, she found her senses becoming hyper-aware of everything happening around her. She could sense the people moving around downstairs in the Pie Hole. She found that she could even read the emotions rolling off of them. She focused on Ned for a moment and felt his love for her and hope that they would be able to physically connect soon. She let those feelings go, though, and let her senses continue outward. Her circle of awareness was spreading rapidly as she opened herself up towards unity with the universe. She felt her aunts in Coeur d'Coeurs and was able to sense their peace with how their life was proceeding. Soon, she could feel the whole state. Then the whole county. Then the whole world.
Before she knew it, Chuck felt like she was flying away from Earth through the vast emptiness of space.
And suddenly, she was surrounded by light.
"You made it!" a familiar voice called from behind her.
"Daniel!" she cried excitedly, turning and reaching to give him a hug.
She passed right through him.
"Should have seen that coming," she muttered.
"You get used to it," he quipped.
"I'd rather not," she shot back. "Come on, Daniel, I think it's time to go home."
"Alright," he answered, and promptly began to fade away.
"Wait!" Chuck yelled.
"What?" Daniel asked, still becoming more transparent, though less quickly than before.
"I don't know how to get back!" Chuck exclaimed.
"Just click your heels 3 times and say 'There's no place like home.'"
"Really?"
"No, not really. I've been spending too much time with Jack," Daniel muttered. "You just have to think yourself back. I'll see you on the flip side."
With that, Daniel was gone. Chuck took a minute to center herself again. All of a sudden, there was a whoosh and she was back in the living room.
Daniel entered from the bedroom, still pulling on a pair of Ned's pants that he had pilfered from the other man's dresser.
"You're back!" he proclaimed excitedly. Then he took a look at her more closely and frowned. "How come you still have your clothes?"
Chuck couldn't help but laugh. "You seem disappointed."
Daniel flushed with embarrassment. "Oh! No, um, it's not like that. It's just…"
Chuck laughed again. She crossed the room and patted Daniel on the hand. "Don't worry. I know what you meant. Now, if I had been Vala…"
Daniel's cheeks reddened again.
"Now, as flattering as this conversation is, if you don't mind, I'd like to go downstairs and finally kiss my boyfriend," Chuck said giddily.
"After you," Daniel said as he opened the door and held it for her.
When they descended the stairs and reached the entrance to the Pie Hole, Chuck pushed the door open excitedly, hurrying past the counter and into the kitchen. As Ned turned around, she flung herself at him. He tried to step back and avoid making contact, but to no avail. Chuck was too quick as she wrapped her arms around the shocked pie maker's neck. She didn't fall dead like he had feared. Instead, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him hungrily.
"You're… We can… Is this a dream?" he haltingly asked.
"Does this feel like a dream to you?" Chuck asked as she pulled him in for another kiss that completely short-circuited his mind.
When Ned finally regained enough control to think again, he decided that she felt too good to be a dream. And he never wanted to let go.