Destiny's Footsteps

by Anaika Skywalker

There have been some changers at Stargate Command and General Jack O'Neill is bringing someone into SG1 that will keep Colonel Mitchell on his toes. A brilliant young archaeologist named Jackson.

10. Chapter 10

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise. (And if I owned it, Stargate SG-1 would run forever.)

Beta Reader(2013): Edited by Jon from stargatetwins dot com (2013) (Typo's are all mine.)

Reviews: Winjan: I love twists to that last one just sort of happened. As for her experience with the Ancients and Merlin, well you'll have to keep reading. Scottiedog: Yes, this new SG-1 is like the old SG-1, as for the Ori, it's a good think they haven't had to deal with them yet, but at least they're prepared. Cassandra Jean: Wow another cool review. Thank you so much, I'm glad you're enjoying my story. And I just couldn't resist Cam kissing Kayla awake. I'm such a sap.

Old Author's Note: This chapter took some writing, nothing seemed to come out the way I wanted it to and but eventually I got it finished. I'm still without a beta reader, so all mistakes are all mine and my computers. 2015 Update: The updated story was beater read by Jon at Stargatetwins dot com, who did an amazing job when he was editing it for the ebook. Sorry forgot to put that in before.

DF

Chapter Ten: Merlin's Shroud

Teal'c entered the locker room, and saw Colonel Mitchell sitting on the bench staring soberly at a pamphlet. Kayla had quietly told him about Mitchell's friend, and what the Colonel had tried to do for him. His team leader had gone on the rescue mission, even though no one would have questioned him staying behind.

"Colonel Mitchell."

"Hey Teal'c," he acknowledged without looking up.

"I am sorry about your friend."

"Yeah, I was hoping to see him again," Cameron said with a heavy heart.

Teal'c clenched his hands behind his back. He knew well enough the pain of losing a friend. "I am in your debt, Colonel Mitchell. Not only for saving my life, but for saving the life of Bra'tac as well."

Cameron finally looked at him. "Teal'c, no offense, but I would have done the same for anyone," he said truthfully. "You don't owe me anything. We watch each other's backs 'cause that's our job, right?"

Teal'c bowed his head slightly. "Indeed," he said and then decided to leave his friend to his thoughts.

"Hey Teal'c," the Colonel called him back. "How'd you resist the brainwashing?" he inquired. "I figure I might be in that situation someday, and I don't reckon I'm going through the rite of Mal Sharran."

"To resist the influence of others, knowledge of one's self is most important," Teal'c told him confidently.

"Right, thanks," Cameron said, and as the Jaffa left the locker room, he looked back at the pamphlet in his hand. He'd read it back to front, he knew it word for word, all the advice. "Yeah, I'm working on it," he whispered. After a moment, he stood, shoving the pamphlet into the inside pocket of his jacket, he walked out of the locker room.

He took the elevator to level 18, going to Kayla's office, walking in without knocking, "Hey?"

She looked up, seeing he was in civilian clothing. "Hey, you leaving already?"

"Yeah, look Jackson, I'm taking some time off, you know, to go to the funeral," he revealed.

She got up, going over to him. "Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, I need to do this alone," he answered.

"Cam," she put her hand on his arm. "You don't… Look, Ryan, Teal'c and I, we can all come, be supportive. You don't need to go alone."

He gave her a warm smile and drew her into his arms for a friendly hug. "Thanks, but I need to say goodbye."

"Okay," she rubbed his back and then pulled away, but held his hand. "When do you leave?"

"I've got to organize a flight, so either tonight or tomorrow morning."

"Why don't you head home, I'll make some calls and get you a flight. Iowa, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"No problem," she gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll give you a call when it's all set."

He nodded, fighting the urge to hug her again. But he couldn't, one friendly hug was enough. "I'll talk to you later."

"Sure," she reluctantly let his hand go as he walked from the room. Going back to her desk, she picked up the phone and dialed out. "Hi, Uncle Joe."

A warm friendly voice came over the line. "Hey kiddo, what can I do for you?"

Joe wasn't her real Uncle, but he was family to her anyway. He also ran Marshall Enterprises, and would continue to do so when she had full control; he'd been doing it long enough to know what was right for the company.

"I need a favor, Uncle Joe," she told him. "It's personnel."

"Tell me what you need and I'll do it kiddo."

"Thanks, Uncle Joe," she filled him in, and on his assurance everything would be taken care of, she hung up. She gave Cameron enough time to get to his apartment and then rang him. "Hi babe."

"Babe?"

"Sweetheart?" she teased him in a sickly sweet voice, happy to hear the lightness in his voice.

"I think I like babe better."

She chuckled. "It's all arranged, even a car to take you to the airport."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said. "See you when you get back." She heard him say goodbye and hung up. Her heart ached, she wanted to be there for him, but she also knew he needed to do this alone, and when he was ready, she'd be there.

Sighing she went back to work, there wasn't much to go home to now, only an empty apartment. Even staying on base seemed a nicer prospect.

Teal'c found her still in her office four hours later, hunched over a translation. "Kayla Jackson."

She looked up. "Hey Teal'c."

"I did not see you at dinner."

Kayla glanced at her watch. "I didn't realize the time."

He smiled at that. "Perhaps you do now."

"Okay!" She laughed, got the point, closed down the computer, and followed him out.

"You did not accompany Colonel Mitchell?"

"No, he wanted to do it alone. I respected that; he'll talk to me when he's ready."

"Indeed."

They changed levels and walked into the commissary. Kayla got dinner and sat with Teal'c, he'd gotten himself coffee. She picked at her food, eating only a little. Finally, she pushed it away altogether.

"Are you alright, Kayla Jackson?" Teal'c inquired.

"Yeah, Teal'c, I'm just not hungry," she took her coffee, drinking a little. "How are you?"

"I am well."

"And things on Dakara?"

"They are also well."

Colonel Reynolds entered the commissary and walked over to them. "Mind if I join you?"

"No, sit down, Colonel. Teal'c and I were just having our usual six word conversations." Kayla offered.

He smiled, putting the file on the table, opening it. "General O'Neill said you didn't go with Mitchell." He kept his voice down. "So I was wondering if you'd like a trip off-world." He turned the file so she could see it. "It's one of the planets that Merlin gave you."

While having Merlin's memories in her head, she'd put over a dozen gate addresses in her PDA, they were now checking them out.

"This is Ancient!" She pointed to one of the MALP photos. "I can't make it out though."

"Neither could Junior, and after I mentioned it to the General, he thought you might like to take a look." Reynolds added, "And he mentioned something about you moping around."

"I'm not moping. I'm catching up on translations that need to be done," Kayla said sternly. "I am gone for a couple of days to attend my High School reunion, and when I return, my department suddenly comes down with the flu."

The Colonel smiled at the prissiness in her voice. "So, how was the reunion?"

"It was fine, thank you; we had a great time. Mitchell was a hit, especially with my friends."

"It was the Class A's, they get the girls every time," he saw Teal'c smirk. "What?"

"The friends Kayla Jackson is referring to are both men," the Jaffa said.

"Men?" He arched an eyebrow and glanced from Teal'c to Kayla. "As in ex-boyfriends or just friends?"

"As in my two best friends from High School, who were both older than me and gay. They also went to the same College as I did."

"Well no wonder Mitchell made the hit parade," Reynolds remarked. "The nurses here go gar-gar over him, male and female."

"You are not alarmed by this Colonel Reynolds?" Teal'c inquired.

The Colonel shrugged casually. "Hey, I don't judge a man by his sexual preference," he said, even though he kept his voice down. "My brother happens to be gay, and I like his husband, he's a great guy. I even have two gay nephews."

Kayla smiled warmly. "Tyler and Christian have a three year old daughter. They use the services of a surrogate mother. Jenna is Christian's," she revealed sincerely. "They plan on having another in the near further, this time Tyler is going to be the father. I'm Jenna's godmother and I was also Christian's best person at their wedding."

"You see them a lot?"

"Not as much as I'd like, not since joining the SGC."

"I know the feeling, I don't get to see Ethan and Matt that often either," he told her and closed the file, glancing at his watch. "Briefing is at 0800, doc. I put a copy of the file on your desk before coming here."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," he stood. "I'll see you tomorrow; good night."

"Night," she bided; and Teal'c just bowed his head. Kayla pushed her chair back. "I'm going to call it a night, too, Teal'c."

He stood when she did and followed her out. "Are you heading home, Kayla Jackson?"

"Um, no, I was going to stay on base," she admitted, chewing on her bottom lip.

"If you remain, you will return to your office and work," he commented. "Come morning, you will be found hunched over your desk asleep."

"I'm not that bad," she said, and saw the look he was giving her. "Okay, I am."

"Indeed."

She smiled and bumped against him in a friendly gesture. "I guess I'm used to having company."

"I understand."

Kayla retrieved the file from her office, and then joined Teal'c as they headed for their quarters on 25. He walked her to the door, then said goodnight. After a quick shower, she grabbing the file and made herself comfortable in bed as she began to flick through the data and photos sent back by the MALP.

The phone rang half an hour later, "Jackson."

"You could have told me it was going to be a limo, and the private jet." Cameron's voice came over the phone.

She chuckled. "Sorry, how was the flight?"

"It was great. Jake even let me take her for a while."

"I thought Uncle Joe would send Jake." Gathering the file together, she closed it and placed it on the bedside table. "How's the hotel?"

"It's perfect, I'm going to owe you big time," he sounded tired.

"No you're not," she lay back, stretching out. "So, how did you know I was here?"

"I know you, Indiana, just as I know you're wearing my Air Force shirt to bed."

She smiled at that. "Well, it's comfortable and goes with my black satin boxers."

"I'm starting to think you have a fetish for men's underwear, Jackson."

"They're ladies boxer shorts, Mitchell," she said with a giggle.

There was a pause. "Miss you, Kayla."

"I miss you too, Cam. See you when you can back."

"You bet, are you staying on base till then?"

"I'm going out of country tomorrow, I'm not sure for how long, it depends on what we find once we get where we're going," she told him. "Colonel Reynolds and the boys will look after me."

"They better."

"They will," she promised. She would have jumped on a plane and been there with him if he asked her. Mission or no mission. "Cam..."

"I know, me too," he said. "Night Kayla."

"Night," she whispered, and then hung up. She climbed under the covers, turned out the light, and tried to get some sleep.

DF

Colonel Albert Reynolds glanced around the ruins, and wondered for the hundredth time why he'd agreed to visiting Planet Gloom. The ruins were situated in a mist-covered valley surrounded by thick foliage; the Stargate was an hour's walk through said foliage.

Major Liam Montgomery or 'Scotty' as he was better known approached his team leader. "Perimeter is all clear, Colonel, not that you can see much in front of you."

Reynolds nodded. "Yeah, well, Junior said he found records stating this mist will last about six months of the year."

"Great," the Major grumbled. "We arrive during the off season."

The Colonel chuckled, "Looks like it." He acknowledged the person coming out of the mist towards them. "Hey doc."

Dr. Kayla Jackson enjoyed working with SG-3, and joining them meant a break from trying to work out the Sangreal weapon, and the chance to stop worrying about Mitchell. "Hi guys," she greeted, and continued to where they'd made camp, hunkering down near her pack.

Montgomery sighed. "Mitchell is a lucky guy," he said, keeping his voice down.

"Damn right he is," the Colonel agreed. "But then, he earned his place on SG-1."

"That wasn't what I meant, sir."

"I know what you meant, Scotty." Reynolds remarked. He watched Kayla stand, her PDA in her hands, rolling her neck as she read the data. The archaeologist had removed her fatigue shirt, her vest now worn over a black t-shirt, her P-90 hanging from a clip on her belt. She wore a bandana on her head, with the same jungle camo pattern as her fatigue pants. He may have been a married man, but he still could appreciate a beautiful woman. He just couldn't touch - orders from his wife, his very pregnant wife.

Kayla shoved her PDA into the pocket of her pants and snatched her canteen from her pack before heading back the way she'd come. She patted the Colonel on the back as she went, and then turned, walking backwards. "How are Kelly and the boys, Al?"

"Just fine, doc, Kelly's over the morning sickness."

"That's great." Getting back to Jon, she handed him the canteen. "I'm going to take a look at the obelisks."

He took the canteen from her. "Don't wander too far," he warned.

"Yes, Lieutenant," she teased, using his newly acquired rank.

"Funny, Dr. Jackson," he smirked back.

"I thought so, Lieutenant Dr O'Neill," she said, grinning as she continued walking. The two obelisks stood side by side, worn by the weather, but in remarkably good condition. The text engraved on them was an older dialect of Ancient, one she hadn't encountered before, but it felt familiar. Shaking her head, she continued working, moving around the stone monuments.

She was working by the second obelisk, when a nagging feeling that had been plaguing her became so strong she couldn't concentrate any longer. She put her PDA into her vest pocket and headed back to Jon. Something was wrong, very wrong.

Jon wasn't at the ruins. She unclipped the P-90, and headed back to camp, keeping vigilant. Hunkering down in the cover of the foliage, she could see SG-3 on their knees, their hands laced behind their heads, surrounded by Jaffa, with Ba'al pacing the clearing. He stopped and yelled, "Dr. Jackson! I know you're there, Dr. Jackson."

"Run for it, Kayla!" Reynolds yelled out, and was struck by the butt of a staff weapon, knocking him to the ground.

Kayla kept low, edging closer; she didn't want to give her position away too soon.

"Come now, Dr. Jackson, you don't want your friends to die," Ba'al taunted.

"You'll kill them anyway, Ba'al!" she called out and then quickly moved from her location.

"I don't want them, Dr. Jackson, only you!" He moved closer to Jon, gesturing to his First Prime, who stood behind the Lieutenant. "You have one minute, Dr. Jackson and then Lieutenant O'Neill dies."

Kayla saw the First Prime take aim with his staff weapon; at that range he'd take Jon's head off. "Damn it," she hissed. She felt a cold shiver run through her body, and for a moment she couldn't breathe. Dropping to her knees, she gasped for breath. She wasn't alone, and somehow Ba'al knew. That was why he wanted her. He was going to kill her friends, no matter what she did; she had to give them a chance.

Getting to her feet, she forced herself to walk into the clearing, her hands in the air, still holding her weapon.

Ba'al smiled. "Remove her weapons and vest," he ordered his men.

Two Jaffa approached, one snatching the weapon from her hand, the other waiting as she unzipped the vest and handed it and her gun belt over. She was pushed over to Ba'al, and yelled, "Let them go!"

He chuckled. "I don't think so," he said smugly, and took her earmic from her, throwing it to the ground.

She sighed, and shook her head slowly as the air crackled around them. Everyone looked skyward to see that it was suddenly clouding over. Thunder clapped as lightning streaked through the sky. A bolt of lightning struck a tree nearby with a deafening bang, and all hell broke loose. SG-3 jumped to their feet and attacked the Jaffa with their bare hands, just as Kayla tackled Ba'al, taking the Goa'uld to the ground. Soon enough, staff blast and automatic weapons fire echoed with the thunder as they fought.

Kayla fought as best she could, but soon fell to the ground, having been back handed. "Colonel, get to the Stargate!" she yelled to Reynolds.

SG-3 was now getting the better of the Jaffa. "We're not leaving you!" he yelled back.

She got to her feet and launched at Ba'al, who used his hand device to push her back, hard. She slammed into a tree and hit the ground. "Go!" She yelled, struggling to get back on her feet. "I'm right behind you!"

Reynolds hesitated, but then gave the order. "Move out!" he ordered, and then ran, his men behind him.

Kayla turned, and never saw the punch that made contact with her cheek, knocking her to the ground, dazed.

Ba'al stood over her. "Ah, Dr. Jackson." He pointed a Zat at her and fired.

She convulsed in pain and gave in to the darkness.

"Bring her," he ordered his First Prime.

The Jaffa picked her up as if she was a rag doll, throwing her over his shoulder, following his 'God'.

SG-3 quickly made it to the Stargate, and Reynolds yelled ahead, "Dial the Gate!"

Lt. Ross ran over to the DHD and dialed out, hitting the activation crystal. He sent their IDC through after it activated, and then waited for the green light and a radio confirmation, while the others searched the surrounding are for Kayla. "We're good to go, sir."

Distant staff blasts tore through the undergrowth, hitting all around them.

"Move out!" Reynolds ordered. "Go! Go!"

His men ran for the Stargate as the Jaffa appeared, dodging around trees. They returned fire as long as they could before stepping through. The Colonel was last, and saw Ba'al and his First Prime, the later carrying an unconscious Kayla Jackson like a sack of grain. Seeing there was nothing he could do, Reynolds walked backwards through the Stargate, turning as he exited. "Close the iris!" he ordered. It spun closed behind him as he walked down the ramp, the barrier taking numerous hits before the Stargate shut down.

Jon was standing at the end of the ramp, with General O'Neill. "Colonel, Kayla?"

"Is in Ba'al's hands," he said gravely.

Jack saw that Teal'c and Michaels had overheard the Colonel. "We'll debrief in one hour," he said, and walked out of the Gate Room.

DF

Cameron stood by the freshly covered grave; being at the funeral the day before had been hard. Coming back had been harder, but what he needed to say, he wanted to do say alone. He crouched down, having forgone his uniform for civilian attire. "Hey Fergy, I thought I'd come by before I left," he said quietly, smiling a little. "You would have liked yesterday, they said some nice things about you." He paused. "I said some nice things too. I'm sorry I wasn't there, I wanted to be." He paused again, finding it difficult.

"Um, we got Teal'c, he's okay. Kayla said she was sorry she didn't get to meet you." He chuckled a little. "She organized for me to get here. You would have loved it Fergy; top of the range Learjet that handled like a dream. It's waiting for me, to take me home. I suppose there is something to having a girlfriend who's got connections." Cameron felt himself choke up, clearing his throat. "I guess I just wanted to say goodbye, and thank you. You know what for." He stood, folding his arms against his chest. "Bye Fergy."

"I'm sure he's happy you're here, Cameron," a voice behind him said.

Cameron turned, seeing who it was. "Kathryn!" He was more than surprised to see his ex-wife, drawing her into his arms for a hug. "It's been a while."

The blonde-haired woman nodded. "Nearly three years." She stepped back. "How have you been?"

"Good, you?"

"Not bad," she replied as they walked away from the grave. "You're mom told me about the accident, you were lucky you weren't killed."

"Mom said you'd rang," the hurt evident in his voice. "I thought you might have come and seen me."

"I couldn't," she said, just as hurt as he was. "I couldn't see you like that. Not after all the things I'd said to you."

"We were both angry, Kathryn, I don't blame you; I never did."

She smiled, changing the subject. "I'm getting married again."

"Yeah," he returned her smile. "That's great, who's the lucky guy?"

"Geoffrey Laurence, we work together," she said happily. "What about you, anybody special in your life?"

"Yeah there is," he answered.

They came to her car. "Do you have time for coffee, tell me about her?" Kathryn inquired.

Glancing at his watch, Cameron agreed. "Sure. I don't have to be at the airport until noon."

Kathryn drove him back to his hotel, and they had coffee in the restaurant, seated at a quiet spot. "So tell me about the new love of your life?" she said, teasing him a little.

"Her name is Kayla; she's a civilian consultant for the Air Force," Cameron told her. Before he'd been shot down in Antarctica, their divorce had become final. Despite the harsh words they'd last said to each other, they had remained friends.

"So you work together," his ex-wife guessed.

He nodded. "We went from being friends to something more." He ran his finger around the rim of his cup. "One day I woke up and realized I loved her. It was as simple as that." He grabbed his wallet and took the photo out of it, shoving the wallet back into his jacket pocket. It was a copy of the photo Kayla had in her journal. "That's Kayla."

Kathryn looked at the snapshot, a little surprised; and it wasn't because of how young the woman in her ex-husband arms was, it was more. "She's… um… I… um…"

Cameron laughed at her discomfort. "It was taken at her dad's wedding, that's her sister in her arms."

She chuckled, embarrassed. "Sorry," she handed it back. "She looks young, cradle snatching now?"

"Yes," he said proudly, and they both laughed as he put the photo away. "Kayla's parents were both in college when she was born, her dad didn't know about her until about a year ago. His new father-in-law also lectured him about his granddaughter dating someone old enough to be her father. But her dad and step-mother like me, so I'm safe."

Kathryn found that amusing, her grey-blue eyes sparkled. "You sound happy."

"I am," he said, and was going to comment more when his cell phone rang. He saw the Caller-ID and quickly answered it. "Mitchell… When sir?" he frowned. "I realize that, sir, but this is Jackson… I'll come straight to the base after we land… thank you, sir." He hung up. "I'm sorry, Kathryn, I have to go."

"Is something wrong?" she asked concerned.

"A member of my team is missing," he replied with a lump in his throat, getting to his feet. "Jackson is our linguist, she's a pain in the ass, but the team wouldn't be the same without her." He saw the raised eyebrow. "Hey, it's a new Air Force, remember, besides I have no hassles with having a woman on my team, I've flown with enough of them."

Kathryn chuckled at that. "Would you like a lift to the Airport?"

He nodded. "Thanks."

"I'll meet you in the lobby," she told him.

"Thanks," he said again, a little distracted as he hurried out.

Kathryn sighed as he paid the bill. She and Cameron had gotten married after he'd graduated from the Air Force Academy, and but his being away all the time, being shifted from base to base, the missions he couldn't talk about. The pain in his eyes that seemed to cloud everything else, because she couldn't understand what he was feeling, because she wasn't allowed to know what he'd done. In the end, she just couldn't handle it. They had remained friends though, finding they were better at that than marriage.

She waited for him in the lobby, and then drove him to the Airport. He directed her to where the Learjet was waiting for him, and she had to ask, "Friends in high places?"

"Girlfriend with connections," he answered.

"Oh, nice."

He smiled as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Thanks Kath."

"No problem, it was good seeing you again, Cam," she said. "Tell Kayla, I'd like to meet her."

"I will," he agreed and got out, getting his bags from the back, then waved to her as she drove off.

The pilot smiled. "Colonel," he took the bag from him. "We're cleared for takeoff as soon as you're aboard."

"Thanks, Jake." he said as he followed the man into the Learjet, handing his bags to one of the cabin crew. Cameron took a seat and prepared for takeoff. His archaeologist wasn't just missing; she was in enemy hands - Ba'al's hands. And he was going to do everything he could to get her back.

DF

Ba'al sauntered into the cell with an arrogant confidence, smiling at the young woman sitting on the floor against the far wall, her knees drawn up, her head resting on crossed arms. Her black t-shirt was grubby and half pulled out. "Doctor Jackson." He saw the blood and bruises on her face, but had to ask anyway, "How are you feeling?"

"Like hell, how are you?" she taunted.

He chuckled. "The burden it must be, having two distinct personalities in one mind, especially when the human brain isn't built to handle it."

Kayla rested her head back against the wall. "What are you talking about?"

"Merlin – you carry the information from the download, as well as his consciousness," Ba'al said calmly.

She laughed with near hysteria. "Whatever I had, it's gone. It was gone after I finished the weapon, along with what felt like half my brain cells."

"Forgive me if I don't take your word for it, because I know you're lying," he said, hunkering down near her. "Merlin was too smart, he wouldn't have just let you leave with the weapon, and not give you the knowledge to build another, or how to use it."

She rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. "We will work it out sooner or later, without Merlin."

"And you will, because I'm giving you the chance."

She looked back. "What are you talking about?"

"Your Colonel Mitchell may have destroyed the Repository of Ancient Knowledge on the last planet we were on, but not the others that are located throughout the galaxy," he pointed out. "One of them is now onboard this ship, and you will use it to build me a copy of the weapon."

Kayla rested her head back against the wall. "If you think I'm going to build you a weapon, then you're more deluded than I thought."

Getting to his feet, Ba'al grabbed her and hauled her to her feet, his anger simmering, "In due time, my dear Dr Jackson, you will do anything I ask of you." He pushed her away, and stormed from the room. Two Jaffa were waiting. "Put her in the sarcophagus."

"Yes, My Lord," one of them acknowledged as they walked into the cell.

Kayla backed away from them, running into the wall. She had nowhere to go, but they were more cautious than last time. One pulled out his Zat and shot her with it. She withered in pain and collapsed to the deck. They picked her up and dragged her out.

DF

Dr. Margo O'Hara sat next to Cameron Mitchell. SG-3 had been released from the infirmary battered and bruised, but alive. He'd been told that all were blaming themselves for leaving the archaeologist behind. Moments after he'd arrived on base, Cameron had visited the team and then the General, demanding to know what they were going to do to get his archaeologist back. It hadn't gone well. The tension on the base was thick, more so than usual.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" she asked him.

"Not much," he admitted. He leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. "The nightmares were pretty bad."

"Teal'c told me." She had already spoken to the Jaffa, who naturally took it upon himself to look after his team until their friend was returned to them.

Cameron rose to his feet and walked over to the window, looking out at the Stargate. Margo had to come to the briefing room to talk to him, as he didn't want to leave the proximity of the Stargate. His team was behind him one hundred percent. He only had to say the word and they'd follow him, and SG-3 would back them up. The problem was, they didn't know where to go.

Margo saw Jack come out of his office. He glanced quickly to Mitchell and then to her, an unspoken message passed between them, and she gestured to him to try. He went over to the younger man. "You know, I've stood at this window more times than I can count, and asked one question over and over."

"Why?" Cameron supplied.

Jack nodded. "Why Daniel? Why did it always have to be him? It's was as if he was a magnet for danger. But time after time, when we thought that was it, he'd come strolling back, smiling that god damn annoying innocent smile of his, as if nothing had happened at all. Hell, we could pack his apartment up with our eyes closed, and when he died and ascended, we kept a lot of his stuff, because at the back of our minds, we were just waiting for him to come walking back through that ring, with his annoying little smile. Eventually, he did, just without the annoying smile… It was more of a what the hell have I gotten myself into expression."

Cameron knew the General was trying. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "When you first told me Jackson was joining the team, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. You gave me that speech about looking after her. Then after I read her file, I felt sick to my stomach. However, the biggest punch in the gut came when she walked into the office. She was a kid, an innocent kid." He remembered the scene, and grinned a little. "I smiled at her and she smiled back, that infectious smile of hers. You know, the one that goes straight to your soul?" He saw the General nod. "And that was it; I knew she was going to make it with SG-1. I had the band back together." He paused. "I never meant to fall in love with her, she was my friend. We talked about things I'd never told anyone about, and I cared about her. I knew she'd watch my, six and I knew she trusted me to watch hers. Then one day I woke up and realized I loved her, she was my other half. And it scared the hell out of me."

"Son," the General put his hand on his back. "Welcome to my world," he turned and leaned back against the window. "I love Daniel. Now don't get the wrong idea, I don't mean in a sexual way. I mean as a friend and a brother. However, just knowing that scared me, because Daniel being Daniel, he could never see any wrong. He put his friends, those he worked with, before himself, and at times paid the price for doing so. And you know what was worse? It was finding him collapsed in his damn office, his appendix ready to bust. Seeing just how damn close we came to losing him, and from something as stupid as appendicitis."

"How did you cope, General?" Cameron asked him, his voice almost besieged with emotion. "When he died and ascended. How did you handle losing him?"

Jack heard the pain behind those words, a pain he understood. "I almost didn't. I shut everyone out, and I didn't want to feel. I felt angry with him for doing that to me, and I felt guilty that I couldn't stop him from dying. And every time I walked into his office, and saw Jonas there, I want to scream." He stopped, pulling himself into check. "Then I was captured by Ba'al, and he was there, helping me. Consoling a friend, as he put it, and I knew he wouldn't let me down, that somehow he'd find a way to get me out of there. And he did. In his own way."

"When we were captured by Ba'al, when it looked like the rescue party wasn't going to make it," Cameron swallowed hard. "She said we could ascend, that she knew how… I said I had no doubts she could do it, but I said I wouldn't be able to. She wouldn't have any of it. She told me I had a good heart and soul and that I was a good man and she wasn't going to leave without me." Turning, he leaned against the window, his hands to either side of him, the concrete smooth under his fingers. "Looking back, I think she could have done it, and she would have made sure I ascended with her."

"Of that Colonel, I have no doubts," Jack said sincerely. "We're going to get her back, Cameron, even if we have to pull this galaxy apart to do it."

"Yes, sir," he agreed confidently. "Of that, sir, I have no doubts."

Dr. Lam came into the briefing room with Major Michaels and Teal'c. "General, I know why Ba'al has taken Dr. Jackson."

Both men joined them at the briefing room table, taking their seats. "Why doctor?" Jack asked.

She opened the file she was carrying and showed them a print of an MRI. "This is a normal MRI for Kayla, the blue indicates normal brain activity, which is higher than most." She put it on the table and showed them a second. "This is the MRI taken after she had the download."

"There's more blue," Cameron pointed out.

"Yes, but note the darker halo around it." She pointed to it using a pen, before placing it next to the first. She picked up one more. "This was taken after Kayla returned from P2M-903."

"The halo of darker blue has increased," Margo noticed. "So has her brain activity."

Carolyn nodded and put it with the others.

"Merlin," Cameron guessed.

Ryan agreed. "We think his memories and consciousness are still in Kayla's mind, which would explain a few things."

"Like?" Jack wanted to know.

"Her sudden ability to read an Ancient dialect that we've never encountered before."

"Her journal," the Colonel said gravely.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Her journal?" He was a little confused.

Ryan had brought it with him. He opened it to the page marked. "After we brought everything back from P6M-1908, Colonel Mitchell went through Kayla's pack. Her pen was tucked inside the journal at this page."

Jack slid the journal over and looked at the schematics drawn. "What is it?"

"According to these notes, I think it's a device designed to render Ancient abilities inactive," the Major explained. "I think Merlin designed this device, and wants us to build it."

"Using this device we can easily restrain a person who has Ancient abilities," Carolyn reported. "Such as Kayla."

"You think she has his ability, that's why Ba'al took her?" Jack asked them.

"A brainwashed Kayla Jackson would believe what Ba'al tells her," Teal'c commented.

"He'd have to break her first," Cameron declared, the worry evident in his voice.

"Not if Merlin planed this scenario," Margo voiced her opinion. "If he has a plan, he may have control over Kayla already. She may even be working with him."

"But what is his plan?" the Colonel wondered. "And what is Ba'al's?"

"Questions we need answers to," Jack said. "And we'll find out when we capture her." He turned to Ryan, "Major, build that device," he ordered, and saw the man nod. He turned to the SG-1 team leader, "Get a message to the Tok'ra; see if they have any intel on Ba'al's whereabouts."

"Yes sir."

"T," he addressed the Jaffa, "Go have a chat with Bra'tac, see if the Jaffa have heard anything."

"As you wish, O'Neill."

Jack shifted nervously in his chair. "There's one more thing," he announced uneasily. "The President has ordered Kayla's apartment to be cleared out, her things are to be put into storage. I want SG-1 and SG-3 to handle that. Colonel, I want you to close her office. No one is to go in there, and I mean no one. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," he said, swallowing hard. "General, will you be informing Atlantis?"

Jack nodded slowly as he pushed his chair back and stood. "Dismissed," he said and headed for his office.

Margo put her hand on Cameron's arm. "Come and see me if you need to talk," she told him, and at his nod she gave his arm a gentle squeeze and then stood and left.

Pushing back his chair, he stood and left the briefing room. Changing levels, he ended up on 18. Walking down the corridor to Kayla's office, he hesitated before walking in. The office was in darkness, the only light was what was coming in from the corridor. He stood there in the darkness, the emotion building in his chest. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to close her office; he didn't want to clear out her apartment. He wanted her back.

He flinched as the large hand landed on his shoulder. Looking back, he found Teal'c standing behind him and Michaels in the doorway. He wasn't ashamed of the how glassy his eyes were, or what he felt.

"You are not alone, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said softly.

"I know, big guy," he said, but found the hand didn't leave his shoulder.

"Then you know we will get Kayla Jackson back," the Jaffa said sternly.

"One way or another, big guy," Cameron agreed, "One way or another."

DF

One month later, SG-1 walked though the village with Tevaris, the village leader.

"So you're saying a woman came through the Stargate, alone," Cameron was clarifying.

"Yes," Tevaris answered. "She was young, very beautiful. Her hair was nearly white, her skin very pale, her eyes a milky blue and she walked with grace. Her gown was made with materials we'd never seen before, and she wore jewels, displaying richness we don't encounter."

The Colonel looked to Lt. Jon O'Neill. The young man had been temporarily assigned to SG-1. "Lieutenant, my girl doesn't have white hair or skin."

"It could a result of having Merlin's memories, Colonel."

"Jon could be right, sir," Ryan agreed. "It would also account for her eyes. Her system would be under a certain amount of strain."

"All right." He let it go for the moment. "What did she say to you, Tevaris?"

"She told us, under Lord Ba'al's protection, we will prosper as a community. That his forces will defend us against the forces of evil," the village leader revealed. "Then she said she would be back today for our answer."

"Well that's different, instead of forcing the issue, it's a soft sell." He was thinking it sounded more like a protection racket, and payment would be painful to these poor people.

"The Lady Kayla said Lord Ba'al is a gentle man, and will help us prosper."

"Of that I doubt," Teal'c commented.

They heard a shout from down the street, "The Lady Kayla returns!"

"Look, Tevaris, it might be best if her ladyship didn't know we were here," Cameron added.

He nodded, and ushered them over to a shop, darkened by the shadow of another building. "You may hide here."

"Thank you," Cameron said, and ushered his team into the shadows.

Once Tevaris was sure they were out of sight, he casually walked down the street. He smiled when he saw the Lady. She wore a stunning gold weaved dress that hugged her slim body, her hair pulled back and entwined with jewels.

She smiled, welcomingly, "Hello Tevaris."

He bowed and smiled back, "My Lady."

"Have you thought about my proposal?" she asked him sweetly.

"I have, and I would like to hear more about Lord Ba'al," he said calmly.

She bowed her head slightly, "It would be my honor." She accepted the arm he offered, letting him escort her down the street.

Cameron moved further into the shadow as they passed, a cold shiver ran through him. "That was definitely our girl," he said to no one in particular.

"I did not sense a symbiote," Teal'c commented.

"Well, at least we know Ba'al hasn't snaked her," Ryan stated.

"With Merlin's memories in her head, I doubt a symbiote would make the effort. The first mission, the one to Abydos, we learned that symbiotes frequently reject a host they deem unfit." Jon remarked.

"This is correct, Lt. O'Neill," added Teal'c, smirking at the Jack clone.

Cameron looked to his second in command, "How long would it take for the Odyssey to get here?"

He calculated the distance in his head. "Roughly twelve to thirteen hours."

"All right," the Colonel saw the coast was clear and gestured a villager over.

It was a young girl, about fourteen or fifteen. "Yes, sir."

"Can you get a message to Tevaris without revealing it's from us?" he asked her with a smile.

She blushed. "Yes sir."

"Good, please ask him if it is possible to get her ladyship to return tomorrow?" he asked her. "Can you come back and tell us his answer?"

"Yes sir," she said shyly. "We're having our harvest festival tomorrow."

"That's perfect then, thank you."

She blushed again and rushed away, hurrying to where Tevaris had taken the Lady. She went to his side, apologizing for interrupting, and then whispered the message to him.

He smiled and the spoke reverently, "My Lady, the people wish to know if you will return tomorrow to help us celebrate our harvest festival."

Kayla nodded, "I would be honored, Tevaris."

He turned to address the messenger, "Pass the word, Jacqueline."

The girl hurried out, returning to where the off-worlders were hiding. "The answer is yes, sir. The Lady will return."

"Thank you…?"

"Jacqueline," she introduced herself.

"Thank you, Jacqueline," he said sincerely. "After the Lady has left, tell Tevaris everything will be fine and not to worry."

"I will sir. You should leave through the back streets, sir," she suggested. "This way…" she showed them, guiding them out of the village.

They thanked her and hurried to the Stargate, returning to Earth, and were met by General O'Neill.

"She was there, sir," Cameron reported.

"All right, we'll debrief in one hour," he ordered.

An hour later, Jack gestured for them to join with Dr. Lam, who he had asked to the briefing.

"The Tok'ra intel was right, sir," Cameron began. "Jackson was there, or Lady Kayla as she's introduced. She didn't look quite herself though."

"How so?" Carolyn asked.

"Her hair was nearly white, so was her face, and her eyes were milky," Jon reported.

"Which means?" Jack asked them.

Carolyn replied to the question, "Well, when SG-1 accidentally traveled to the alternate universe, those who were fighting the Ori reported that the Priors looked similar to what we have just witnessed. It could be an effect of having so much power at their disposal. I received a full report on their meetings with so many twins, as well as the plague antidote from the alternate Dr. Lam."

"So, she's some kind of Ancient Prior?"

"I suppose that's a good of explanation for it, that and having Merlin's knowledge and consciousness would be taxing on her system."

"Alright, so what are we going to do?"

"The Village leader, Tevaris has arranged for her to return tomorrow," Cameron announced. "I suggest that we hightail it to the planet, on the Odyssey if available, wait for her to arrive, and then transport her up. We Zat her, and then hold her using Michaels anti-Ancient device. We jump back into hyperspace, just in case Ba'al is hanging around, and bring our girl back to Earth, securely strapped into a chair."

Jack nodded. "I'll make the arrangements, be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. Dr. Lam, you'll be accompanying SG-1. I want you to do a full physical on Kayla before she's put in the chair, make sure Ba'al hasn't done anything to her."

Carolyn shivered at the thought, but nodded in agreement, hoping the medical equipment on the ship could handle whatever the girl had become. After a few more details were dealt with, the meeting broke up.

"There's one thing that concerns me," Carolyn said as they left the briefing room. "Why did Ba'al need Kayla to become what she has?"

"To access Merlin's memories," Ryan suggested.

"No, he could've just transferred his own host to her, and taken that information," she told him. "No, he's done this for a reason."

"But how did he know she had the memories?" Cameron wondered. "We didn't."

"Ba'al does have access to the Ancient database left behind by Anubis, perhaps the answer is there." Teal'c offered.

"I guess we're just going to have to capture Jackson to find out," the Colonel concluded, and they all nodded in agreement.

Fifteen minutes later, they were geared up and ready to leave. They were transported aboard the Odyssey from the conference room, and the ship left orbit, making the jump to hyperspace.

Carolyn checked in with Dr. Nicholas O'Reilly, making sure everything was ready. She then had a look at the room that was being converted to hold Kayla. Everything had been stripped out of it that wasn't needed. A table had been placed at one end, the anti-Ancient device sat on it, ready. But it was the chair that really sent shivers down her spine. It was similar to the one they'd used on Khalek; improvements had been made, but it was still similar.

Ryan Michaels came into the room and over to the doctor. "Dr. Lam, are you alright?"

She was standing with her arms hugged tightly around her middle. "Are we doing the right thing?"

He was a little stunned she was asking that. "We can't leave her with Ba'al."

"No." She corrected herself. "I mean, strapping her into that chair."

"It's for her safety as well as ours, Dr. Lam."

"We could trust her," she suggested.

"We have to know if it is her, first."

Carolyn knew that. "And if it isn't, if Ba'al has managed to turn Kayla against us?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Ryan said sternly. "We'll do everything in our power to get her back to who she was. She's a member of our team, doc, and we don't leave anyone behind."

Carolyn turned a little. "She's family, Major, and we never leave family behind."

"No we don't," he agreed. He gave her a friendly smile. "There's nothing more we can do. Dr. Lam, would you like a cup of coffee?"

She smiled back at him, "I'd like that."

DF

Twelve hours later the Odyssey was in orbit around the planet. Teal'c and Mitchell stood in the room that had been converted to a prison cell; a large mattress laid out on the floor to prevent injuries. The anti-Ancient device was activated by Ryan. It looked like a black flying saucer, complete with blue lights that flashed at its middle. Two heavily armed Marines stood at the door, holding Zat pistols, and Dr. Lam and her medical team waited with them.

As the Asgard beam transporter materialized Kayla, they noticed that she didn't seem concerned; in fact, she looked like she'd been expecting them; but without the Zat guns pointing at her.

"Well it's about damn time!" she exclaimed.

Mitchell and Teal'c glanced quickly at each other, and then the Colonel fired the Zat gun at her, knocking her to the floor.

"Well, that went well," he remarked, a lump in his throat.

"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.

The medical team rushed in with a gurney, Major Michaels with them. Cameron tapped his earmic. "Colonel, this is Mitchell, we have her."

"Acknowledged, Colonel, jumping to hyperspace," Emerson responded.

The Major picked up the device, and followed the medical team and the armed Marines.

Jon passed them in the corridor, "It worked, I take it, sir?"

"Well, she let me Zat her, so I'd take that as a yes."

"So what now?" Jon asked Cameron.

"Now, we wait, Lieutenant."

Two hours later, the medical team brought the heavily sedated Kayla Jackson back and strapped her into the chair. The beautiful gown, shoes and jewels had been removed, and were being analyzed for possible weapons or tracking devices. She now wore blue scrubs, and her favorite thick socks on her feet. Except for the near-white hair and pale white skin, she looked like her old self.

The medical team was ushered out of the room; the Marines took up their positions on the door. Dr. Lam stayed, standing next to Major Michaels, who had set the device up on the table once more.

"So, doc, what's the prognosis?" Cameron asked her, a little hesitant to know.

"Well, it definitely is Kayla Jackson," she reported. "Her brain activity has tripled. Even with the device Major Michaels built to suppress her abilities, the activity is still evident." She paused, because the next piece of information was an unanswered question that was now answered. "She hasn't been sexually active while captured, whether willing or unwilling. Her blood is clear of any virus, and she doesn't have any devices implanted in her body, and there is definitely no symbiote."

"So when will she wake up?" Jon inquired.

"About now," she answered, hearing a low moan.

Kayla pulled herself out of the darkness, feeling confined. She opened her eyes and winced. Her team was there, as well as Jon and Carolyn. "Hey guys," she said a little groggily. They'd sedated her after shooting her with a Zat gun. She found she couldn't lift her arms and then realized why, testing the restraints that held her in the chair. "What's going on?"

"Well, sunshine, we were hoping you could tell us," Cameron answered her. "Because honey, you are definitely not looking your old self."

"It's part of our plan," she told him. "Well, Merlin's plan."

"So, he's still there?" Jon asked her.

"Yes," she nodded. "The two of us."

"Little crowded?" Cameron joked.

"A little," she agreed, smirking. "So, why the chair?"

"It's for your own safety."

"I'm not a threat to you," she promised.

"Then who are you a threat to?" he wanted to know. "Because right now you look like enemy number one and it aint pretty."

She stared hard at him. "The only one who should feel concerned is Ba'al," she said bluntly.

"Why?"

"Because he got more than he bargained for when he tried to brainwash me," she said brazenly, then tilted her head a little for a brief moment. "Do you think I like this?"

"You tell us."

Kayla sighed. "Merlin knew the only way to protect me was to bring forth his abilities, as Dr. Lam will tell you, my brain activity is above normal, even for an Ancient."

Cameron glanced back and got a nod from the doctor, he looked back. "Go on."

"But even for me, controlling all his memories and abilities is taxing. So he had to alter a strain of my DNA, leading to changes in my physical appearance, so that I could control and handle it." Kayla explained. "I went into the sarcophagus looking like I usually do and came out like this. After that I did what Ba'al wanted so I could accomplish what was needed."

"Which was?" Teal'c inquired.

She turned her attention to him. "He has a Repository of Ancient Knowledge from one of the other planets. I built him a weapon… Just not the weapon he wanted, though they look the same."

"What kind of weapon did you build?" Cameron asked her.

She flexed her fingers. Her gaze was icy. "He wanted a Sangreal weapon; we built him one, altering it to do something different."

"We?" Jon pushed.

"Kayla and I," she said bored with the questioning. She focused on him, noticing the badge. "They gave you Kayla's position."

"Temporarily."

"Good for you."

"Hey, Merlin!" Cameron snapped, not liking this at all. "What does this weapon do?"

"It'll neutralize every clone Ba'al in the galaxy," she answered with no remorse. "The only Ba'al left will be the original, if he still exists."

"That's not possible," Ryan exclaimed.

"I'm afraid it is," she said, adding. "Of course, it'll also take out the mothership of every clone via the self-destruct, which was why I had to get you guys to capture me. It took you long enough, by the way."

Cameron had enough of Merlin talking through his teammate, his friend, and lover. Especially when he tried to make it sound like it was her talking. He stormed over and grabbed her head in his hands, looming over her. "Enough Merlin, I want to talk to Jackson, and Jackson only!"

Her milky blue eyes held his; she didn't flinch. "When I programmed the ancient device to download my consciousness into Kayla's brain, I put a time limit on it. Because I knew she couldn't survive very long with the knowledge and consciousness of two distinct people in the one mind, even one advanced as Kayla's. In 24 hours, my consciousness will be gone and Kayla's body and mind will revert to the state it was in before she accepted the download. You just have to trust me."

Torn, Cameron straightened, releasing her, he stalked out of the room, his anger simmering.

Carolyn went after him, having to run to catch up. "Colonel!"

"Leave me alone, doc."

She didn't back down. "Colonel," she grabbed his arm, stopping him, which took all her strength. "Being angry at Merlin isn't going to help Kayla."

"He's using my friend, doc!" he snarled. "He's using her anger against Ba'al to have one last hurrah, to rub it in the Ancients faces. Not only did he get her to build a weapon that could destroy all ascended beings, but he had her build another to take out a major player in the galaxy. She's being used!"

"Yes, Colonel, she is," the doctor said gently. "But when we went in search of the Sangreal, Kayla made the decision to accept the download and build the weapon. And Merlin saved her life," she gripped his arm, feeling the tension. "We'll have Kayla back; you heard Merlin, there's a time limit."

"So we just wait?"

"We just wait," she repeated.

He nodded slowly, calming down. "All right," he said, heavy hearted.

She gave him an encouraging smile and released his arm. "Come on Cam, we need to know when the weapon detonates."

"Yeah," he agreed and followed her back to the makeshift holding cell. He stood before his teammate, the woman he loved, who was trapped in more than one way. "When does the weapon detonate, Merlin?"

She opened her eyes. "In eighteen hours."

"Where?"

"The Salarka sector."

He looked to Teal'c, who answered his unasked question. "I know of it."

"Ba'al is having a summit of clones; I was to meet him there. It seems I'm the guest of honor," she continued, Merlin still speaking through Kayla. "I won't be making it, now, will I?"

"What if it doesn't work?" Cameron asked her.

She glared angrily at him. "It will work."

"We only have your word on that," he taunted her.

"Then that will have to do," she said and then closed her eyes, resting her head back against the chair.

DF

The Odyssey exited hyperspace and maneuvered into orbit around its home planet Earth. SG-1 and Dr. Lam transported down to the SGC, and after a quick trip to the lockers, they reported to the briefing room, finding Daniel Jackson was with the General. Taking their seats, they briefed both men on the situation.

"If the information Merlin gave us is true, Jackson will be back to her old self in less than twelve hours," Cameron concluded.

"Do you believe him?" Daniel knew the Colonel would tell him the truth when it came to his daughter.

"I don't know," Cameron admitted. "But I believe Jackson, and the few times we were able to talk to her, she believes it will happen."

"And if it doesn't?" Jack asked the question no one else dared ask.

"If it doesn't, Kayla will die in less than twelve hours," Carolyn answered him. "Her brain will not be able to handle Merlin's presence any longer."

"Then she'll ascend," Daniel declared sternly, frowning.

"You don't know that for sure, Daniel," Jack said, trying not to make too much of it.

"Yes, I do, Jack. I know my daughter. I know what she's capable of."

"Daniel Jackson is correct, O'Neill," Teal'c spoke up. "Kayla Jackson has more than once informed me that she has reached a state of Kel'no'reem where she felt she was on the edge of releasing her body and ascending. At this state, the body and mind are free of all burdens."

Jack saw his best friend give him his best I told you so look, and frowned. "What about this Salarka sector, what do we know about it?" he asked continuing with the briefing.

"The Goa'uld have ruled this sector of space for thousands of years." Teal'c added, "It is under Ba'al's rule at this time."

"And this weapon goes off in twelve hours?"

"According to Merlin, yes, sir," Ryan answered. "I'd like to see if Merlin will tell me how the anti-ascended weapon we have works. I might be able to learn more about the alternate version on Ba'al's ship as well."

"Just be careful, Major."

"Yes, sir."

"I want to talk to Kayla," Daniel decided.

"Doc," Cameron sat forward, leaning on the table, "I don't think…"

Daniel cut him off. "She's my daughter, Colonel. I want to see her."

The Colonel nodded, not arguing with the man.

"General," Carolyn got Jack's attention, "I'd like Kayla transported to the infirmary before the transformation happens. I'm not sure how her body is going to react, she could lose consciousness or she could go into shock."

He nodded in agreement. "Leave it until the last minute, but all right."

"Thank you."

"What about the Ancients?" Jon asked them. "Are they really going to let Merlin destroy all the clones?"

Jack sat back in his chair and glanced at Daniel. "He's got a point."

"Ba'al wanted to use the weapon to destroy not only all ascended beings, but all life in the galaxy apposed to his rule. Somehow I get the feeling the Ancients aren't going to interfere with the plan," the archaeologist told them. "And he's not actually doing it. Kayla is."

"But she's using Merlin's memories," Jon added.

"Merlin's dead," Cameron reminded him. "He didn't ascend."

"It's a fine line, but then again, the Ancients don't usually interfere in the doings of lowers," Daniel stated.

"So they'll turn a blind eye and just let it happen?" Jon asked, and Daniel nodded.

"Okay," Jack pushed his chair back. "In less than twelve hours we'll have no more multiple Ba'al's running around and our girl is back to normal."

"If it works," Jon pointed out.

"Well, let's hope it does, we could use the advantage."

They all nodded, and the meeting broke up. Daniel transported aboard the Odyssey, and was escorted to the room turned prison cell. He nodded to the Marines as he walked in, they stepped outside, and the door shut. He went over to his daughter, seeing she was following him with her eyes. "Well, this is a new look for you."

"Yeah, it's always something isn't it?" she remarked with a casual ease.

"Not really your look though," he admitted.

"It's a good thing its temporary," she agreed.

He grabbed a stool and sat down next to her. "So, I am talking to my daughter and not Merlin."

"It's me, Dad, I can control him," Kayla assured him.

"But can we?"

She rested her head back against the chair. "That's why I drew the designs for the device in my journal."

"You weren't sure, either," he guessed.

"No," she looked at him wearily. "What he proposed seemed so simple at the time. His consciousness would lay dormant in my mind until the time was right. Then, once in Ba'al's hands, his consciousness would protect me so his plan could be put into action."

"So he knew Ba'al would try for one of the other ARKs?"

She nodded. "I think he worked it out after I told him what I did."

"And you agreed to all of this?"'

"Not really, I wanted to build the second weapon as a dud, so that Ba'al couldn't hurt ascended beings or anyone else," she revealed, "but Merlin made the argument convincing. This war with Ba'al could go on for years because we're chasing every clone around the galaxy. This way, we take them all out in one hit."

"It's a risk," Daniel told his daughter. "They may not all come to the summit."

"It won't matter; the weapon's designed to send out a shockwave that will destroy all of his clones within our galaxy," Kayla said solemnly. She saw her father frown. "When I first came to work at the SGC, I thought I could help people, save people, from Ba'al and others like him. But I learned quickly enough that it doesn't matter how many you save or try to help, there is always someone out there who takes over and starts again. We can't save everyone and we can't help everyone, but we can try and do our best. And if taking out Ba'al's clones frees a planet, even for a generation, then that's a generation of freedom they didn't have before."

Daniel heard the truth in her words. She'd lost her innocence the same way he had, the hard way. "Unless we actually go to the Salarka system, we won't know it worked."

"I know, and that's why I want you to convince Jack to let me go, I need to make sure it works."

"That's not going to happen, kiddo."

She sighed frustrated. "Then suggest I be allowed out of this chair," she struggled against the restraints that held her in.

"I can't do that either."

She stopped struggling, and rested her head back against the chair, closing her eyes.

Her sudden silence worried Daniel. "Kayla?"

"Just go, dad," she said softly. "I got myself into this, I'll see it through."

Her tone bothered him as he got up and left the room, transporting back to the SGC. He immediately went to see Jack. "I don't think that device Major Michaels built is going to hold Kayla much longer," he said as he walked into his friend's office.

"Why do you say that?" Jack inquired.

Daniel sat down and gave a brief recap of what he'd talked about with his daughter. "She's going to overcome the device and run."

"To make sure all the clones really die?" Jack looked skeptical.

"Yes."

"Oh come on, Daniel, why would she do that?"

"Well, let's see," he sat forward. "At one stage, Ba'al wanted to kill all of SG-1, myself included. He tortured you, killed you, and revived you repeatedly. He captured Kayla and Mitchell, tortured them, killed and revived them, and tried to brainwash her. She's angry, Jack."

"She knows better, Daniel."

"Does she? Now she's handling two distinct consciousness, hers and Merlin's. Can you imagine what that's doing to her? Not to mention the fact he altered a strain of her DNA, and thus her appearance, to serve his plan," Daniel pointed out. "Her mind is advanced for a normal human being. The Ancients know that. Ba'al knows that. Why do you think he's singled her out all the time? To top that all off, her ATA gene is stronger than any known human, which gives us another possibility… One of her parents was an Ancient."

That got Jack's attention. "Well, we know you're not. So…"

"Emily."

"Then why didn't she ascend when she died?" Jack asked him.

"Maybe she did, Jack. You read the accident report; moments after they pulled Kayla from the wreckage, the car exploded, with Emily's body inside."

"And her grandparent's – Emily's parents?"

"They were most likely Ancients who descended and made a life here on Earth."

Jack sat back in his chair. "We can't be certain of any of this, Daniel."

"No we can't," the archaeologist agreed.

DF

On board the Odyssey, Kayla meditated in the chair. Michaels had talked to her about the weapon they had under guard at SGC, and the one on Ba'al's mothership. She told Ryan everything he wanted to know, not that it was doing her any good; her time was running out. Merlin's time was running out. There was something else though, Jack had transported aboard, and said Woolsey was at the SGC, and that wasn't good. She didn't like the IOA, and Woolsey was a weasel of a man, even if he did have his good points now and then. Jack had told her to expect a visit from Woolsey, and that had been an hour ago.

When she heard the door and footsteps, she opened her eyes, seeing the man in question. "Mr. Woolsey, so nice of you to come and see me."

He hesitated, and walked further into the room, the door remained open, but his fear was evident. "Dr. Jackson." He came closer. "I came here out of respect for you, to tell you personally what has been decided."

"Do tell, Mr. Woolsey."

He knew she was taunting him. He swallowed hard and continued, "We're going to transported you to the Ancient pod in Antarctica, where you'll be frozen until we can confirm that all of Ba'al's clones have been neutralized."

"Lucky me," she retorted and ignored him.

"Right," he muttered as he pushed the intercom on the wall, "You're clear to beam the prisoner out now," he ordered, and then released the button, turning a little. Nothing happened. He pressed the button again. "What's the holdup?"

"We're having technical difficulty; we can't get a lock on the prisoner."

Woolsey looked back, and shuddered, the restrains holding Kayla Jackson released, and she stood. With a wave of her hand, the Marines were thrown out of the room and the door closed. He found himself up against the wall, being lifted off the ground as she stood before him.

"Not part of my plan, Mr. Woolsey," she stated. The door opened as she lowered him to the ground, and then forced him to walk ahead of her.

Woolsey noticed that the Marines were gone, and as they walked through the ship he noticed everyone was gone. "What have you done?"

"The ship's crew is safe; I beamed them down to the SGC." When she reached the bridge she looked at him and smiled, happy to have rubbed his blunder in his face, and with a wave of her hand he was transported off the ship. She sat in Emerson's chair, and with a mental command to the Asgard beam transporter, her father suddenly appeared on the bridge.

Daniel had been talking to Jack when Woolsey had transported into the SGC, and he'd been transported out. He sighed, "Kayla." He then turned, seeing her in the command chair.

"Dad," she greeted. "Have a seat; we're going for a little trip."

"Oh?" He smiled as he moved to sit next to her. "Where too? Do we have tickets for Oz?" The ship moved, a hyperspace window opened and they made the jump.

"The Salarak sector." She smiled at his little joke, and added, "Don't worry; as I told Woolsey, the crew is safe on Earth. Oh, and SG-1 is on board."

"Where?"

"They're on their way. I transported them to that nice little room I was held in."

"So, what's the plan?"

"Oh I thought we'd wait until everyone is here, that way I don't have to repeat myself, but I wanted you to get the best seat first," she declared.

Daniel nodded, and decided to go along with whatever she had planned, "So, didn't want to be frozen, I take it?"

"Nope."

"Can understand that," he agreed. "Jack too, he fought hard against it."

"Thought he would," she noted dryly.

SG-1 came barreling down the corridor, with Zats pointed in every direction, only to find they couldn't get onto the bridge, as there was a force field blocking their way.

Cameron holstered his Zat. "Jackson? Jackson?" Daniel just threw up his hands and remained silent.

Kayla-Merlin pushed her chair back a little and turned with it, smiling sweetly at him. "Hi, honey; sorry, but I need you guys to stay there for the moment."

"What's going on, honey?"

"Well, we're going to the Salarak sector, I need to make sure the plan works and since I was running out of time, I thought I'd just borrow the Odyssey and go."

"That's it?"

"Yep," she said a little smug.

"And we're here?"

"Well, because it took you guys so long to capture me, then you didn't trust me, and then had me locked up in that chair with the device on; which took longer than I expected to overcome. Nice work by the way, Ryan. I'm running out of time. Once Merlin's consciousness is gone, I'm back being li'l ol' me. At which time I'll most likely lose consciousness, so I'll need someone to fly the ship back home."

"Well, I'm glad we can be of some help."

She pouted a retort, "Stop being a sore loser, Cam. It's better than being frozen in Antarctica, then after my plan worked, you would have had to defrost me, and then let me turn back into my usual cute and annoying self. At least this way I'm not frozen, and you get to confirm that all of Ba'al's clones are dead."

"She has a point, sir," Ryan said slightly behind him.

"Thank you, Major, I got it."

"And if you behave, I'll let you in," she added sweetly, and saw the four of them nod. She lowered the force field with a wave of her hand. They walked in, all four Zat's holstered, moving further onto the bridge.

"So, how long is this going to take, Jackson?" Cameron asked her, distracting her.

"Six hours."

"It's a twelve hour trip to the Salarak sector," Ryan pointed out.

"Not with a ZPM it's not," she corrected.

Jon glanced at his team leader. "We have a ZPM on board?"

"We do now, I beamed it up," Kayla reported. "We're going to need it later."

"For what?" Daniel inquired.

"To cloak the ship," she answered calmly.

"This ship doesn't cloak."

"It will," she assured him, and raised her hand as a Zat gun flew into it. "Now Teal'c, I thought better of you."

Cameron shrugged at his teammate, who had been trying to get behind their friend. "Nice try big guy."

Kayla rubbed her temple as the Zat and its three partners were transported out. "Now, please make yourselves comfortable everyone, and stop giving me a headache."

"Where are our Zats?" Jon asked her.

"Back in the armory, which is now enclosed in a force field, so you can stop thinking it," Kayla answered.

"All right, Merlin, you've made your point," her father chastised, "enough is enough."

She arched an eyebrow. "I asked you all to trust me; you didn't, so now we're doing things my way."

"That's not fair," Cameron remarked. "You knew we wouldn't just let you leave."

"And you knew I wouldn't sit around and wait," she snapped back.

Daniel got to his feet. "That's enough, Merlin; you've manipulated my daughter long enough."

Closing her eyes, she sighed, and the five of them were transported off the bridge and into the mess They glanced around, seeing where they were.

"Well, at least it isn't the brig," Daniel admitted.

"You had it pinned right though, Merlin's in control again," Cameron remarked.

The senior Jackson nodded. "How much time do we have before she turns back?"

"A little under seven hours," Ryan reported. "Maybe less."

"So we just have to wait."

He nodded. "We just have to wait. Jell-o anyone?"

DF

The Odyssey exited hyperspace and cloaked. Facing them were over a dozen motherships, all in orbit around a single planet.

SG-1 and Daniel arrived back on the bridge. Kayla was standing by the windows, looking out at the motherships.

"So, we're cloaked?" Cameron assumed.

"We're cloaked," she agreed, and as she turned, there was a flash of light, and Ba'al transported in.

He smiled at her, seeing their shocked faces, "Well done, Kayla."

She smiled back, "You asked, I delivered."

"Kayla, what are you doing?" her father asked.

"She's doing what I asked of her, Dr. Jackson," Ba'al said smugly, and pointed his weapon at them. "And don't think about trying to disarm me, you don't want to upset her now, do you." They remained where they were. He looked to the young woman next to him. "Kayla, darling, uncloak the ship."

She moved to stand between him and her team, her family. "I don't think so," she remarked, and with a flick of her wrist, his weapon flew out of his hand and across the room.

His thrust his other hand out, activating his hand device, sending a beam of yellow energy at her. She counteracted with white and blue energy of her own, emanating from her hands, holding him at bay, drawing on everything she had, which was quickly decreasing in intensity.

Outside, a mothership exploded, its fragments shooting outwards in all directions, like a fragmentation grenade. Kayla lashed out with her other hand, strengthening the force with all the energy she had left, throwing Ba'al across the bridge and into the hull, where he collapsed. She went down herself, breathing hard, her special energy gone.

Daniel ran to her side. "Kayla," he held her against him.

"We've got to get out of here; secondary explosions," she whispered, barely conscious. They looked to see other ships explode, the device triggering their self-destruct.

Cameron rushed to the helm and activated the sub-light engines of the large ship. Bringing it around, he opened a hyperspace window, and made the jump.

Ryan walked over to Ba'al, checking for a pulse. "He's alive."

"He's the real one," Kayla managed to say before passing out.

Daniel watched along with the rest of them as she changed back to normal, the white hair and the pale skin transforming to her own colors. Merlin's consciousness was gone. "She's alive," he reported after checking her pulse.

Cameron got up from the helm. "O'Neill, take over here. Get a subspace message to Earth and tell them we have a special one-of-a-kind guest onboard," he ordered. "Teal'c, you and Michaels secure the prisoner, and strip him down for weapons. Daniel and I will take care of Jackson."

As they moved to carry out his orders, Cameron picked Kayla up in his arms and left the bridge with Daniel.

"Jack's going to love this," Daniel remarked.

"Oh yeah," Cameron agreed. "Still, I have my girl back."

He chuckled. "We have our girl back, Cameron."

"That we do," the Colonel agreed, smiling.

Four hours later, they were wondering whether she was going to wake up or not. Teal'c and Jon sat on the opposite bed, keeping vigil. Daniel sat on the edge of his daughter's bed and Cameron stood at the bottom. The only one missing was Ryan, and he was on the bridge, watching the ship fly itself through hyper-space.

Finally, Kayla moaned softly and opened her eyes, looking at them, confused.

Jon smiled at her. Getting up, he messed her hair playfully. "Hi, sleepy head," he greeted.

"Hey, what happened?"

"Well, you almost fried Ba'al, the weapon went off, ships exploded and we jumped into hyperspace," Cameron reported. "You lost consciousness, and here we are."

She looked at her hands. "He's gone."

Daniel nodded, "It seems so."

"Merlin sacrificed himself so this would work," she said softly.

"How can we be sure though, that he's gone?" Jon asked. She looked at him, and then waved two fingers in his direction. "What was that?"

"If I was still Merlin, you'd know," she commented.

"Okay, so your li'l ol' you again."

"Yep," she closed her eyes again, barely able to keep them open.

Daniel cupped her cheek, "Kayla?"

She opened them again, "So tired."

"Well, I don't doubt it," he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

Cameron walked over to the intercom, "Michaels, Sunshine is awake, sort'a."

"How is she, sir?" he asked.

"Sleepy."

"Can she tell me how she cloaked the ship?"

The Colonel saw Kayla shrug her shoulders. "She says a magician never reveals her tricks," he lied.

They heard Ryan chuckle. "Yes sir. I'll work it out."

"Sorry, Ryan," Kayla said sleepily.

"It's okay, Kayla."

Cameron returned to the end of the bed. "Why don't we let you get some more sleep," he suggested and they agreed.

Daniel stood and kissed her cheek again. "I'll be back later," he told her and left with Jon and Teal'c.

Cameron perched on the bed, taking her hand in his. "Hey Sunshine."

"Hey," she smiled.

"Nice to have you back."

She couldn't keep her eyes open any more. "Stay," she whispered as she gave in.

"Always," he promised, and leaned over to kiss her forehead.

DF

General Jack O'Neill walked with Bra'tac out of the Gate Room. "So, all the clones are dead?"

"Indeed," the Jaffa Master, turned councilor, agreed. "The area was littered with the debris of motherships, and the clones on the planet were dead."

"And the Jaffa and servants?"

"Were also found on the planet, with no memory of how they got there, only the knowledge that they were free."

Jack sighed as they took the stairs. "That's some weapon; Kayla worked overtime."

Bra'tac nodded. "How is Dr. Jackson?"

"Aside from the fact she slept for nearly twenty-four hours, and is still having trouble staying awake, and is physically exhausted; she's fine," the General reported.

As they entered the briefing room, Daniel went over to the Jaffa Master, smiling warmly, "Bra'tac."

Bra'tac gripped his arm in a warrior's welcome, "Dr. Jackson. Daniel. You and your family are well?"

"Yes, thank you."

They took their seats, and the Jaffa Master briefed them all.

"Will you be able to handle all those Jaffa and servants?" Cameron asked him.

He nodded. "We have returned those who originated from Chulak, and the rest have been sent to Dakara. When they are ready, we will send them to their home planets. They have been welcomed."

"And they have accepted their freedom?" Teal'c inquired.

"Yes."

"What about Ba'al?" Ryan asked.

"With the help of the Tok'ra, we were able to speak with his host, who requested the symbiote be removed; and the Tok'ra carried out the request. Ba'al is in stasis, but his host, Talsis, is dying. Ba'al's fate has not been decided."

"Don't kill him," they heard Kayla say. Turning, they saw her at the top of stairs, gripping tightly, and clearly fatigued by the walk.

"Damn it Jackson," Cameron snapped, jumping to his feet, "you're supposed to be in the infirmary." He helped her get to a chair, sitting beside her.

"I'm tired, not sick," she retorted. "Besides, it's boring in there."

Bra'tac chuckled a little. "What did you mean, Dr. Jackson?"

"Ba'al knows how to ascend, if you kill him, he probably will, and then…"

"Another Anubis," Jack said gravely, and saw her nod.

"You're sure?" Daniel asked her.

"I'm sure," she answered him. She was leaning back in her chair, but her hand was firmly held by Cameron. "I'd like to help Talsis."

"There is nothing you can do for him, Dr. Jackson," Bra'tac insisted. "Without the symbiote, his body has aged – he is dying of old age."

"That's not what I meant," she corrected him. "I want to help him ascend. He deserves peace after all Ba'al has done to him."

Ryan was a little surprised. "You can help him ascend?"

She nodded, groggily. "I may have lost Merlin's consciousness, but I still have some of his knowledge, including ascension."

Jack sat forward. "Indiana, you need to get back to the infirmary before you fall asleep."

"Jack, please," she pleased.

"Talsis does not have long." Bra'tac said straight forth.

The SGC commander sighed. "All right, but you all go, you too Daniel. I'm sure Elizabeth won't mind me borrowing you for a while longer."

"I was planning on going anyway," he declared.

"Of course you were," he said dryly. "Go gear up, you leave as soon as you're ready."

"Thank you."

As Jack nodded, Cameron got to his feet and lifted Kayla out of her chair and into his arms. She said something to him in Ancient, and he chuckled as he carried her out, the rest of his team going with them.

Jack looked to Daniel. "What did she say? And when did Mitchell learn Ancient?"

Daniel chuckled. "She said, my sweet Prince, and I guess he's picking it up from Kayla." He stood and headed out.

"Kids," Jack groaned and heard Bra'tac laugh.

Forty-five minutes later, SG-1, plus Daniel and Bra'tac were ready to leave. Kayla was standing between Mitchell and Teal'c. She was awake, but her body still wasn't fully recovered from its ordeal. Dr. Lam didn't like the idea of her patient going, but she didn't argue with her if it meant saving a life. As the Stargate activated, Jack called from the control room, "SG-1, you have a go, don't be late home."

The four Earthlings all glanced over their shoulders and chorused, "Yes, dad," as Teal'c and Bra'tac chuckled. They walked up the ramp and through the Stargate, stepping out onto Dakara. Walking slowly, they headed to the home where Talsis was being cared for. Kayla made it half way before she stumbled, and was quickly swung up into Teal'c's arms, the Jaffa carrying her the rest of the way.

Inside, she was seated beside Talsis' bed, while Teal'c stayed at her side, as did Daniel. The rest of her team and Bra'tac hovered nearby.

Talsis looked at her with milky eyes, his hair had gone white, and his skin had wrinkled with age. He managed to take her hand. "I want… I want to apologize," he gasped.

She smiled and cupped his hand in hers. "You have nothing to apologize for, Talsis. It wasn't you, it was Ba'al, and he will never again be able to harm you."

"He took all I had from me. My home, my family."

"I know," she kept hold of his hand, brushing his forehead with the other. "You have your freedom now, and I offer you a chance to reach a higher plane of existence."

"Ascension?"

"Yes; you have earned the right for peace and happiness, Talsis. Your heart and soul are good, you knew what Ba'al was doing was wrong," she said soothingly. "It is time to let go of your burden and rest." She could almost feel his life draining from him; his soul was tired. She knew it and as he took his last breath, she closed his eyes and aided his journey. His body dissipated into a glowing white light that rose above the bed, and then floated up and through the ceiling.

Kayla sighed and stood, being embraced by her father. "He's free now."

"Yes he is," he agreed. "And so are you."

She knew what he meant. Smiling, she moved from his arms, going to Cameron, hugging him, it wasn't something she would normally do, but the last month had been anything but normal.

Cameron nuzzled the top of her head. "Let's go home," he whispered. "Well, my place, you don't have one at the moment."

She chuckled against his chest and looked up. "I think it's time to find a place with a tub, a large tub."

"I like the sound of that," he mused as they left, walking slowly once more.

DF

A few weeks later, SG-1 stood in casual clothes among the General's friends and other personnel that worked at the mountain, along with Margo's family and friends. There were children; some who stood quietly, others who were restless. The backyard of the General's house was seeing more people than the post-funeral wake that had been held there. Daniel and Sam were present, with their children, having arrived from Atlantis for this occasion. Daniel stood next to Jack, just as Jack had done for him.

The happy couple was led through their vows, vows that had been written for them. Rings were exchanged, given to them by Drew, handed to him by Daniel. The eleven year old was extremely happy to be a part of the ceremony.

Finally, the minister smiled and gestured to the couple. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Jack, you may kiss your wife."

Jack grinned. "That I can do," he said, and drew Margo into his arms, kissing her, as their friends and family chuckled.

They were congratulated by family and friends, and lastly by SG-1, who had stood back and waited. The three men were still a little protective of their archaeologist.

Kayla gave Jack a hug and whispered. "Everything is set."

"Thank you," he whispered back.

She then hugged Margo; the two women had been seeing a lot of each other within the mountain. Margo had only that morning cleared Kayla for Stargate travel. "Thank you, for everything."

"You're welcome," Margo told her.

Drinks were handed out to the guests by SG-2 and 3, who had volunteered for bar duty.

Cameron quickly took the flute glass of champagne from Kayla's hand and put it back on the tray that Lt. O'Neill held. "You know better, Sunshine," he said and handed her a flute glass of orange juice. "Doctor's orders, remember."

She rolled her eyes at him. "I remember."

He took a glass of orange for himself. "Thanks."

Jon smiled and moved on.

"You didn't need to have orange juice, you know," she told him.

"I know," he grinned, and slipped his arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head. "I wanted too."

Daniel got everyone's attention. He cleared his throat. "As best man, it is my duty to say something about the groom," he began. He looked to his friend. "Jack, you're an ass." He paused as everyone laughed.

"Thank you Daniel."

He grinned. "But the one smart thing you have done is make an honest woman of Margo, or did Margo make an honest man of you." He paused as laughter erupted again. "But seriously. I've known Jack for over ten years now and I've never seen him as happy and content as he is with Margo. I wish you both the very best and a long and happy marriage."

Margo gave him a hug and kiss. "Thank you, Daniel."

Jack shook his hand. "Thanks Danny." He patted his friend on the back. "I suppose I have to reply to that," he remarked. "Daniel, while you were under my command, you were the biggest pain in the ass I have ever known, but you were also my friend." There were plenty of chuckles. "You gave me grey hair, and your daughter is giving me white hair." Laughter this time came from the SGC personnel. "For those of you who don't know, I currently have Daniel's daughter under my command. I'm just lucky Margo doesn't mind the grey hair, because it's their fault." He paused at the laughter, slipping his arm around his new wife. "I am at this moment the happiest man on the planet. I have a wonderful new wife and a terrific new son. Just don't tell my other son he's being replaced by a younger model."

"Thanks' dad," Jon yelled out, and that got laughter.

He smiled. "Thank you for coming to help celebrate this day with Margo, Drew and I."

"To Jack and Margo!" Daniel toasted.

"To Jack and Margo!"

After everyone had left that evening, SG-2 remained behind to clean and lock up. SG-1 and 3 escorted the newly married couple and their son to the mountain, along with the Jackson clan. The President had given permission for Drew to be let into the secret, and the adoption papers had been rushed through. Drew was now Jack's son; he'd been proudly telling anyone who'd listen.

Drew had been given a special set of fatigues by Cameron and Kayla, with SGC badges. He wore them proudly, excited about seeing where his new dad worked.

All of SG-1 and Drew arrived at the Gate Room, the little boy wide eyed with excitement. "So we're really going to another galaxy?" he asked.

"Yep," Cameron answered, "the Pegasus galaxy."

"And Aunt Kayla's dad and step-mom and brother and sister live there?"

"They do," Kayla agreed.

"Wow."

Daniel and his family came in with Jack and Margo; both children were tired and ready to go home. Ari was in his father's arms, half-asleep. Aeron was in Sam's arms, and was already asleep.

General Landry was in the control room, reluctantly in command for the two weeks, as Jack was on his honeymoon. The Stargate activated in its usual splendor, making Drew jump a little in surprise.

"Wow!" he exclaimed and the adults laughed.

"You're all clear, General," Hank Landry reported.

"Thanks Hank, hold down the fort." Jack called Drew over, "Come on kiddo,"

"Have fun, Drew." Cameron bided.

"Thanks, Uncle Cam," he rushed over to his parents, his book-bag slapping against his back.

Daniel and his family went through first, followed by Jack and Margo. "Let's go," he urged, guided his family up the ramp and through the intimidating Stargate.

Dr. Weir and Colonel Sheppard were waiting; the Jackson's having already left the Gate Room. "Welcome to Atlantis, General, Dr. O'Neill, and Drew," Elizabeth greeted.

"Thank you, Elizabeth." Jack said proudly.

"This is so cool!" Drew exclaimed, shivering a little as the Stargate closed down behind him.

John chuckled. "Kid, you and I are going to get along fine," he remarked. "Come on, I'll show you where you're bunking."

"Cool," he gave his mom and new dad a hug. "See you later, have fun," he said excitedly, and followed John, practically bouncing on his feet with excitement.

Margo chuckled. "Well, I can see I don't have to worry about Drew."

"He'll be fine," Elizabeth assured them, smiling. "Unlike Rodney, John has a way with kids, and wait till he sees the Game Room."

Jack looked startled, "We have one of those?"

Elizabeth grinned as she nodded, and then gestured for them to follow her. "Everything is setup, you won't be bothered."

"Thank you, Elizabeth," Jack said as they followed her.

During an expedition of the city, they'd found a secluded section, which they'd set up for the General and his new wife to use for their honeymoon. Elizabeth escorted them there via three elevators, and then made a tactful exit.

Jack drew his new wife into his arms. "Well Mrs. O'Neill, it looks like we're all alone."

"It does indeed, Mr. O'Neill," she smirked and rose up on her toes, kissing him, sucking seductively on his bottom lip. "Have anything planned, General?" she asked with a sexy purr.

"Oh yes," he moaned and swung her up into his arms, heading for the bedroom where Margo's giggling turned into pleasurable moans.

DF

To be continued…