And Keep On Fighting

The flight back to Colorado was spent almost entirely in silence. Daniel disappeared shortly after they arrived and wasn't heard from until Monday morning. For a while he became hard to find around the SGC, and when Daniel was seen talking with his friends, Janet could tell he was strained. He was finding it hard to act normal whilst the events of fifteen years ago played again and again behind his eyes. Nobody else noticed. By silent agreement nobody else had been told of the events in L.A.

Life, for everyone else, continued as normal. And eventually, over time, it did for Daniel as well. As his memories returned he learned to cope, as he always had, with the past. The months slipped by, and for a while it seemed everything was going to be all right.

Then Janet died. Shot, in the chest, by a staff weapon, only because she was doing what she could to fight the good fight and help the helpless. When Cassandra found out, she was furious. If it hadn't been for Teal'c's arm to hold her back, Cassie swore she would have torn her way to the Stargate and killed every Jaffa on the other side. Instead, her anger turned itself to tears, and she collapsed against Teal'c, sobbing.

"Oh my god," she cried, "I understand now. Daniel I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Teal'c looked up to Major Carter for an explanation to Cassandra's words, but all he got was a shrug. After her tears had subsided for the moment, Cassie wiped her eyes and asked Sam what the Major considered some peculiar questions.

"How did the battle end?" she asked. "Nothing ... unusual happened, did it?"

Sam shook her head, slightly baffled.

"And Daniel. How's Daniel?"

"Cold," Sam replied after a moments thought, "why?"

"I just," Cassandra sniffed and wiped her eyes, "I just think out of all of us he may take this the hardest." She stood up without giving Major Carter a chance for more questions.

"I think I need a nap," she mumbled as she left. Again there came a questioning glance from Teal'c. Again, all he received was a shrug.

Cassandra didn't get a proper chance to speak with Daniel until her mother's funeral. She caught him after the service, staring glazedly at the patch of freshly dug earth that was Janet Fraiser's grave.

"How're you doing?" she asked quietly. Daniel grimaced.

"Not so good. I received word yesterday that Wesley was killed a few days ago."

"Oh no," breathed Cassie, "what're you going to do?" The words had slipped out of her mouth without her realizing it.

"I think," replied Daniel solemnly, "that question is better referred to you. It's something that's needed to be asked for some time now."

"There's a group of Slayers in Italy that have asked me to join them," Cassie told him.

"I know a lot of people who will tell you Slayers are nothing but trouble."

"I still think I'll go."

"Why?"

Cassandra paused for a moment, struggling with her reply.

"I've been thinking about what you said. That once you know the fight is there, there's no escaping it. I don't feel there's anything I can do here. Maybe, in Italy, I can do more good."

Daniel wasn't easy with this answer. On the one hand he wanted to beg Cassandra not to get more involved, to keep herself safe. On the other hand he knew this would infuriate her, make her feel cooped up and insignificant. Daniel sighed resentfully.

"What're you going to tell Sam?" he asked.

"That I won a scholarship."

There were a few moments of awkward silence, the two of them both staring at the fresh grave thoughtfully. Cassandra was the first to turn away. After a few paces toward the road she stopped and turned back.

"I'll see you before I go," she said before leaving the cemetery. Daniel stayed a while longer. Finally, he spoke.

"What am I going to do?" he said to himself, "same as always. I'll fight."

FINIS

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AN: Huge thanks to everyone who read this. Keep an eye out for the sequel which may be titled What Should Not Be Forgot.