Wow, two chapters in one day? Somebody stop me!!!!!!! ;) Just kidding, you don't have to, really! Please read and review. Thanks!
As always, I own nothing, I just like to dream!
Daniel groaned and winced as he slowly regained consciousness. He felt as though he had been used as a punching bag for a prize fighter. Daniel tried to remember what had happened right before he blacked out, but the pounding in his head intensified every time he tried to remember. All he could remember was being shot at and running for the gate. He tried to cautiously move all of his limbs and immediately felt sharp, stabbing pains shoot down his arms and legs. Ok, so that's out of the question for now, he thought.
Abandoning his attempt at movement, he slowly opened his eyes and examined his surroundings. He was in a relatively stark, white room with bright sunlight streaming through the only window in the room. "Well, at least I'm not dead – yet," he mumbled.
"Well, according to the doctor, you should live a long and healthy life. Provided, of course, that you don't go around getting shot anymore," spoke a gentle and melodic voice. Startled, Daniel whipped his head around and immediately regretted the intense stabbing pain he experienced.
"OW," he said as he winced.
"Well, good morning, and welcome back to the land of the living" the lovely female voice said.
"'Morning," he replied, "And thanks. If you don't mind me asking, where am I?" he asked. "And while were at it, what happened?"
"Well, you are on the planet Vedra. As for what happened, I was hoping that you could tell me," she replied.
Daniel slowly reopened his eyes as the throbbing in his head gradually subsided. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw what he thought must be the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld. Sitting next to the bed with her back to the window, she had long, curly red hair that glowed in the morning sun, giving her the appearance of having a halo. She was very fit, athletic looking, and had tanned skin that gave her an almost airbrushed look. But what struck Daniel the most was her eyes. They were an emerald green, and had an intense look that captivated Daniel.
"I was wrong, I have died. And gone to heaven," said Daniel. The words tumbled out of his mouth before his brain had a chance to process them. To his utter surprise, a bright, white grin spread across her face and she chuckled. "Yes, you most definitely are alive," she said.
"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to say that aloud," Daniel replied, very embarrassed. "Don't worry, I appreciate the compliment," the woman replied. "How about we start over and try again?" She asked. "My name is Lady Jessica deCalla. What about you?" "I'm Daniel Jackson, of Earth." Daniel replied.
"Well it is very nice to meet you, Dr. Jackson. So what brings you to Vedra?"
"Um, well, I'm not sure. I was with my team observing a civilization who had been contacted by a race known as the Ori, when we came under fire. We made a run for the gate – I remember the rest of the team going through ahead of me. Did they make it?" queried Daniel. "That I do not know," replied Lady Jessica. "Only you came through the gate."
"I wonder if they made it home," pondered Daniel. "I hope so, Dr. Jackson," said Lady Jessica.
"You said that you were observing a race of people who had been contacted by the Ori. What do you know of them?" Lady Jessica asked.
"More than I would like," replied Daniel. "They are a race of beings that have ascended to a higher plane of existence. They have become so powerful that they think themselves to be gods. They formed a religion around themselves that they call Origin. They tell their followers that whoever worships them faithfully and follows their so-called "path" to enlightenment will one day ascend just as they have. They even have semi-ascended preachers called the Priors that go around spreading the word of the Ori."
"So you do not believe what the Ori or the Priors are preaching?" queried Lady Jessica.
"No, I have fought too many false gods in my lifetime to think them gods," responded Daniel. "And besides, I have met their brothers and sisters, a race known as the Ancients. They founded many of the civilizations on earth and on many worlds in both the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies."
Lady Jessica heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness, I was afraid for a moment that you were one of the Ori's followers. My adoptive family was murdered by the Ori when they tried to stop the Priors from brining their false religion to Vedra. That was almost six months ago now," she said sadly. "I'm sorry to hear about them. A lot of people have fallen to the Ori," said Daniel.
"Thank you. You mentioned that you had met the Ancients. How were you able to do that if they dwell on a higher plane of existence?" she asked.
"Um, well I kinda died and ascended myself. Twice," he added. "Twice?" she asked in disbelief. "Yeah, twice," he said. "And yet you came back both times," Lady Jessica said. "Yeah, I wasn't quite ready to leave the life I had here. And I didn't like everything they had to offer. They refused to interfere in the affairs of mortals, even when it had a direct impact on them. They called it their policy of 'free will,'" he replied.
"I think I see why you came back," said Lady Jessica. "I don't think I would have stayed either," she said wryly.
They both laughed, which brought about a new set of aches and pains for Daniel. "I should let you rest," stated Lady Jessica. "The doctor said that you took a bad hit, and you are lucky to be alive. You will probably have to stay in the infirmary for a few days."
"Thank you for all of your kindness and hospitality," said Daniel. "I greatly appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it, Dr. Jackson" she stated. "You should rest now. I shall come again later."
Daniel yawned widely and gave a sheepish grin. "Thanks. And you can call me Daniel."
Lady Jessica smiled and replied, "You are welcome. Sleep well, Daniel."