Chapter Seven: The Consequences of Reality
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Thank you guys! I'm glad you like this story! There's only a few more chapters left and these guys aren't going out without a bang…so don't change that channel!
Super short chapter, I'm sorry. I didn't want to keep you guys waiting too long. More to come soon!
Enjoy!
Alex leaned forward, massaging her temples. She'd been researching what little was known about the ancient gene and how it could potentially interact with a Tok'ra protein marker for over twelve hours and she was still no closer to finding an answer. Colonel O'Neill had been trying to call up the Asgaard for just as long with as little luck. The situation was growing more and more hopeless and Sam was getting weaker by the minute. She had lost the little color that had been left in her cheeks and her hands were chilled.
Alex banged her head against her palms. "Think, think, think." Her mother had always said that she wondered what Alex would have been like if allowed to age at a normal rate. She sometimes saw a wistful look in her mom's eye and guilt would bubble up her throat. Her parents had been robbed of a normal child; no terrible two's, no pictures from kindergarten, no nothing. She had aged more rapidly than anyone could have predicted and her family had never gotten the chance to experience a real kid.
Genetics, it was all about the genetics. Everything about her life revolved around the pesky DNA in her system…her DNA. The answer had to be there somewhere. Aunt Janet had removed the genetic abnormality years ago, but not before the damage had been done. She'd aged to a teenager, was smarter than almost everyone on base combined, and…and what?
Alex dropped her head onto the desk and groaned loudly. She felt like she was forgetting something…something huge. Something buried deep within her subconscious. But what was it?
"Hey." Alex didn't flinch, but she was surprised to see the owner of the voice. "How's it going?"
"Not well." She replied, sighing.
An awkward silence ensued until Jack cleared his throat and stepped into the lab, fingers tapping restlessly on the table. "Look, Alexandra-,"
"Alex. You only call me Alexandra when I'm in trouble." She tried for levity, but kicked herself when she saw him retreating once again. "I mean, not you. My you. My…dad. Sorry."
Jack waved his hand in a dismissal, clearly gathering his thoughts. "Alex…I reacted…poorly …to you and your arrival."
"It's okay." Alex shrugged, knowing how uncomfortable he was with apologies. "I didn't help. Just forget it, okay?"
"No." Jack said, looking her straight in the eye. Alex gaped at him. "I'm not great with words, but…I…understand you. I get it." Alex made to speak, but he held up his hand. "If I don't get this out now, I won't ever. I haven't felt this…feeling…since Charlie. It's like a complete…understanding…of another human being who is half of you. But, it's a little different with you. You feel like…mine. But you don't."
"Trust me, I get it." Alex snorted.
"None of this is coming out right. My point is…I'm ready to listen. And understand. I want to help you get back, but not because I don't want you here. I want to help you." Jack laid his hands flat on the table and looked around, nervous.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen my dad nervous before." Alex grinned.
"Maybe he just hid it from you." Jack gave her a wry smile.
Alex opened her mouth to reply, but it felt like the air was suddenly ripped from her lungs. Hid it from me…Her mind was suddenly racing, faster than any normal human being's. They hid something from her—something she could only find when she wasn't looking for it.
Like when she was asleep.
"Alex?" Jack moved towards the suddenly still girl. Her face was ashen and her eyes were moving wildly from side to side, like she was reading something.
"I know what I did. I know what I did!" Alex jumped up and flung her arms around her not-father's neck. Before Jack could respond she had released him and moved away, muttering excitedly.
"What just happened?" Jack called, rooted to the spot.
From the doorway, Alex turned, her light brown hair flying out behind her. "I know how I got here and I know why Major Carter won't wake up and I know how to get back and I know…I know…God, I feel like I know everything!"
"Typical teenager." Jack retorted, but his heart was suddenly racing. Carter was going to be okay.
Alex laughed, giddy. "And the best part is, it's all my parents' fault!"
TBC
A/N: Please R and R!
