Soon enough, they were making their way into the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Olivia flanked by both Daniel and Colonel O'Neill, as they escorted her through and down to the guest quarters, as ordered. She kept perfectly quiet, afraid of what would come out of her mouth if she spoke.
"So, uh, just make yourself at home. You should find it quite comfortable in here," Daniel said.
"Oh yeah, just like home," she said, walking past Daniel.
"I'll meet you in the General's office in five, Daniel," O'Neill said, before heading out.
"Liv, I'm going to do my best to help you get to the bottom of all this, I promise. Now, from what you've said to me, it sounds like you knew the person who was after you."
Olivia's eyes darkened. "Actually, I do. It was Steven."
"Steven? As in Steven Rayner?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I always suspected Steven was never in it for the science. I know he felt like he always walked in your shadow. He even admitted it to me when he pointed a gun at my head."
"He pointed a gun at you?"
"He said he wasn't content walking in anyone's shadow anymore. I knew he was referring to you. Your name was referenced so often by Dr Jordan, I guess he couldn't take it anymore. I suspect he isn't working alone either. When I left the building, I passed two men and saw them run out after me, along with Steven, before I got into a taxi."
"The main thing is, you're safe. Did you get a look at the men?"
"No. I was too busy trying to get the hell out of there."
"Understandable. Funny, I never had a lot of time for Steven, but I never would've thought him to do a thing like this."
Olivia shrugged. "Me either. I mean, Steven and I rarely saw eye to eye. Amazing what blind greed will do to a person."
Daniel nodded in agreement. "So, what about Dr Jordan? Is he involved too?"
"I don't think so, though I'm not entirely sure. I couldn't find him anywhere after the news came through about the amulet. What disturbed me was that his cell phone was sitting on his desk when I looked in his office. He never goes anywhere without it. I just hope he's alright."
"That is strange," Daniel agreed.
"I don't know, Daniel. The whole thing just seems surreal to me. I'm terrified of this amulet falling into the wrong hands."
"Well, it, along with you, are safe here. It's not going anywhere."
"Thank you. That's why I called you in the first place. I trust you, Daniel. I knew that, wherever you were, you'd be able to help somehow."
"I'll do whatever I can, Liv. Uh, I better go and tell the General what's going on. I'll let him know about Steven and see if we can find out anything more."
"Uh, sure. Thanks."
"Is there anything I can get for you? You hungry? I can arrange for some food to be sent up?"
Olivia shook her head. "I'm OK."
"You sure?"
"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me," she said lightly, though she wasn't looking forward to more hours of endlessly doing nothing.
"Just give me some time, OK? I promise I'll try to give you something more," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"OK."
Daniel nodded, his gaze lingering a moment. "Just uh, buzz my cell if you need anything," and with that, headed out.
Once they'd gone, Olivia dropped her satchel on the coffee table and flopped onto the couch. She was glad she had the artifact somewhere safe, even if it meant she wasn't going to learn everything she wanted to know about it. It was away from Steven and that was the main thing.
Olivia had a feeling that seeing Daniel again had added to her broodiness too. All this time, she'd thought he'd gone into hiding or, even worse, a small part thought maybe something darker had become of her former friend. He'd had a history of depression, and considering what had happened just before he disappeared, it wasn't so far-fetched. The Daniel she'd seen earlier seemed a lot more confident within himself, which, despite the situation, made her smile. He always saw the good in everyone and had always been a gentle and soft personality. Most likely still was. Olivia loved that about him as it also had had a positive influence on her. Knowing Daniel would do his best to help her, made her feel a little calmer. She pulled out the amulet again and settled herself back on the couch. She had a feeling this was going to be a reasonably long process.
"That went…well," O'Neill said as Daniel joined him in the briefing room.
"Yeah, well I can't blame her. I know I'd probably feel the same if it were me."
"She's a lot like you actually; feisty when cornered. It's hot." Realising what he said, Jack tried to back peddle. "Not that I think you're hot…I meant her…that she was…"
Daniel refused to bite. "She's passionate about what she does, Jack. Even though this is daily occurrence stuff to us, this is major for her. She just wants the right thing to be done."
O'Neill and Daniel took a seat in Hammond's office as he gestured them in. Daniel didn't know if he was going to convince the General to let him share information with Olivia, though he was going to do everything in his power to try.
"So, Dr Jackson, what have you learned from Dr Clarke?" Hammond asked.
"Well, short version is that she found an Osiris amulet with Ancient Egyptian & Goa'uld glyphs on it. She knew from the face on the amulet and the Egyptian glyphs that it was Osiris but no idea what the other ones meant, obviously. It was carbon dated at over 10,000 years, hence why she called me."
"I see."
"Sir…she wasn't exactly happy that I couldn't give her any information. She's gone through a lot in the last 12 hours. Finding an artifact that's over 10,000 years old, being hunted for said piece, watching me recognise the glyphs when she thought it would be ground breaking for both of us and that I now work with the military, was a lot for her to take in. Someone we both worked with at the museum was after her for the amulet. Steven Rayner. I don't know why, though we assume it's financial. Sir, without realising it, she's brought an artifact, that, for all we know could be dangerous, away from the outside world, and that's a good thing. I guess what I'm saying is," Daniel said, steepling his fingers. "I'd like to give her something, that will at least be compensation for what she's been through.
"I can't authorise that, Dr Jackson, I'm sorry."
"General, please. I know this is not an ideal situation, but she's an archaeologist and all she wants is what every archaeologist only hopes they'll find in their lifetime. That…Holy Grail, if you will. Now to her, she's found that, and in some way, I feel responsible. The fact that the amulet is over 10,000 years old means that, to her, my theories I was ridiculed for, are true, or potentially true. If she'd never called me or had taken it to her superiors, we'd be none the wiser right now. She trusts me, sir. We can't just take this from her and not give her anything in return."
Hammond nodded. "I'll take that under advisement, Dr Jackson."
"Thank you, sir."
"Colonel? Do you see any potential issues with Dr Jackson's proposal?"
"Hard to say, sir. Don't know much about her at this point. What does concern me is why this Steven was after her. Doubtful he knows what we know. Most likely financial, as Daniel said, but it's always best to be certain."
Hammond nodded again. "Agreed. I'll see what I can find out. Let me know if you learn anything more from Dr Clarke. Dismissed."
Daniel and Jack both nodded, before heading out again.
Olivia looked up from the amulet, hearing a knock at the door.
"Come in."
"Hey," Daniel said, poking his head around the door. "How are you holding up?"
Olivia slumped back into the couch, partially in exhaustion though mostly out of frustration as Daniel made himself comfortable next to her. "Well, apart from the fact I have been staring pointlessly at these unusual glyphs, I have the distinct feeling this amulet is more than just a nice piece to look at."
"What makes you think that?"
"The fact there is no hole in the top tells me it wasn't worn on a necklace. My guess is that it's a key to something. Maybe a sarcophagus or a tomb?"
"Good point," he agreed. He gave her a warm smile that reached his eyes.
Olivia shifted a little then. "Look, Daniel, I'm sorry about earlier…" Olivia began. "I didn't mean to go off at you the way I did. I guess I was still freaking out after what had happened. Between that, tiredness and seeing you again for the first time in five years, my emotions got the better of me."
"It's OK. It was a lot to take in at once. I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect. Knowing how close we were and that I never contacted you after I left, which I always felt bad about, I'm surprised you didn't beat me to a pulp," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"There's still time," she said, nudging him with her shoulder. "I guess I just, wasn't expecting…actually I don't know what I was expecting. Whatever it was, it wasn't this," she said, gesturing around her.
"Yeah, not exactly somewhere you'd expect to find your average archaeologist, right?"
Olivia raised an eyebrow at him. "Daniel, you may be many things, but average is not one of them."
Daniel's cheeks flushed. "Well, thankyou, Liv. That's nice of you to say," he replied, a little embarrassed.
"It's the truth."
"Oh, I uh, I've asked my superior for permission to let me tell you more about your amulet," he said quickly, wanting to change the subject. "He's looking into it, so there's a chance. At least it wasn't a flat 'No'."
"Well, that's something, I guess," Olivia agreed.
An hour or so later, Daniel was translating some texts when his phone rang, snapping him out of his zone.
"Dr Jackson, I organised a few background checks to be run on Dr Clarke and everything has come out clean."
Daniel smiled. He didn't really think there would've been an issue.
"Therefore, I'm authorising you to be able to share information with her, pending her signing an NDA."
"That's good news, sir. Thankyou."
"Dr Jackson, please be sure you are very clear with Dr Clarke about what it is she's signing. Remember, if she is found to be in breach of the NDA…"
"I know, sir and I understand."
As he hung up the phone, Daniel felt a ripple of delight, happy he was now able to share about the Goa'uld inscription and what had happened to him over the last 5 years.
