A.N ~ Sorry for the looooonnnngggggg delay in getting this chapter up, I have had a mild case of writers block for this story so have been working on my others to try and coax the creative flow back.
I would like to thank Bobcox26 for giving me my one solitary review on the last chapter and I dedicate this one to you! Knowing that at least one person is enjoying this story enough to carry on reading it and reviewing was enough to keep me going with Light God and stop me giving up, or moving on with one of my other novels. So thanks again, this ones for you, I hope you like it.
Warning ~ Spoilers for 'Chimera'.
Chapter Ten - Plans and Dreams
Daniel attempted to hide his wide yawn behind his closed fist as the couple made their way up the sunny road towards the bridal shop. Of course, she noticed.
"Are you feeling well Daniel? You seem very fatigued today." Leesia observed.
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well. Had the weirdest dream," he added, immediately cursing himself for his open honesty, knowing it would only lead to questions. Questions he didn't want to answer.
"Did you remember something else?" she asked eagerly.
"Oh no, it's um… it's a long story." Daniel said, dismissively, there was no way he was going to admit that he had been dreaming of an ex-girlfriend. He had no way of knowing how jealous she would get and didn't want to upset her, especially this late in her pregnancy. He certainly was not going to admit that this was the second night in a row it had happened. With planning the wedding and his commitments at the SGC, it was bad timing for not getting decent nights sleep. He was finding that he couldn't concentrate on any of his translations and was more than a little grateful that SG-1 didn't have an off-world mission scheduled for a while.
She eyed him questionably, but thankfully she didn't push for more information than what he was willing to share as they reached their destination and he held the door open, gesturing for her to go inside.
"Hello, I'm Daniel Jackson, this is my fiancée Leesia Clarmore." he greeted the redheaded woman behind the counter with a smile. Her name badge identified her as Suzy.
"Such an interesting name, is it Spanish?" she asked as she shock his out reached hand.
"Uh." Leesia stammered unsure how to answer.
"Italian." Daniel answered quickly.
"How exotic." Suzy cooed with a coy smile. "How can I help you?"
"We're getting married next week. We need the dress and tux."
"Okay. Do you have anything particular in mind?"
"Whatever she wants." Daniel smiled. Just because it would only be a small ceremony didn't mean he couldn't make it as perfect for her as he could.
"Well how about we get you sorted out first then, Honey?" she smiled at Daniel. "Then you can make yourself scarce while this lovely Latina here can get organized. Its bad luck to see the bride in the dress before the big day after all."
Daniel readily agreed. He had some shopping to do himself anyway. He had originally intended to buy her ring when Sam had taken Leesia out shopping last week, but he had got caught up on a translation, as he so often did, and hadn't noticed how long he had worked for until Leesia had called him from home wondering where he was.
As Suzy measured him in every possible way, the thought briefly entered his head that maybe that was the reason behind his dreams. After all it was due to his knack for getting caught up in his work, to the point where he was unaware of anything else going on around him, that had caused the argument that lead to Sarah and his break up. Maybe this was his subconscious's way of warning him not to make the same mistake again. He shook his head, already able to see Leesia's reaction to his theory. 'What you currently do is substantially more important than publishing paper and proving theories, Daniel.' She would say, always was so understanding and supportive. He doubted they would ever argue over his work…their work, he mentally corrected himself. Besides whenever she had needed his attention all she had to do was touch him and allow their tingles to refocus his mind on her.
When Suzy finished with him, Daniel left the store. The bright sun beat down on him warming his hair and shoulders. He clipped the darkened lenses over his glasses to protect his tired eyes and fisted back another yawn. First thing he had to do was get a good, strong cup of coffee.
Half an hour later, topped up on caffeine and with his bank account considerably lighter her re-entered the bridal store.
"Is it safe to enter?" he called.
"Yes. We're nearly done here. Take a seat we wont be long." came Suzy's feminine reply from behind a thick curtain that served as the changing room. He dropped down onto an armchair at the side of the store and settled himself down to wait. When women said they were nearly done it could mean hours still to go.
It seemed only a moment later when he heard Leesia's silken voice call to him. "Daniel?" It reminded him of the first night he could remember being with her.
He blinked open his eyes. Leesia stood over him, looking concerned.
"Sorry. I must have fallen asleep," he said quickly checking his watch. Half an hour had passed.
She spoke to him softly. "Are you sure you are well?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just tired that's all." he smiled trying to reassure her.
She nodded but her expression told him she was not convinced. "I have finished here. Let us go home so you can rest."
He gladly agreed, an early night sounded perfect to him. He paid for her dress and his tuxedo, which Suzy had wrapped in garment bags, so he couldn't peep at the contents of one of them and, after thanking her, the couple left the store.
…
He pulled his vintage Jeep up outside the house and grabbed the two garment bags from the backseat before he helped Leesia out of the high passenger seat.
Inside, she purposely took his hand and led him into the bedroom. "Hormones?" he quizzed with a grin.
"No," she said firmly, taking the garment bags from him and hocking them inside the closet. "You need rest."
"Okay, but first-" He fished inside his pocket and retrieved the small blue box he had purchased while she was being fitted for her dress. "I wanted to do this right."
She gasped as he dropped to one knee in front of her, opening the box to revel a solitaire diamond ring.
His baby blues twinkled as he gazed up at her, lovingly. "When I lost Sha're I never thought my broken heart would be healed, but when you came into my life you gave me more than I could ever hope or dream for. You not only healed my heart, but you also completed it. No matter what languish I can't find words good enough to express how much you mean to me, but can you accept this small token of my love for you?"
"Oh Daniel." She dropped down in front of him, peppering light kisses on his face. "I understand the feeling. I too love you more than I can express."
He took hold of her left hand gently and slid the ring onto her third finger.
She held her hand aloft, admiring the way it glistened in the light. "It is beautiful. Thank you. You did not have to do this," she said through a smile.
"What kind of man would I be if I didn't get my fiancée an engagement ring?" he said and lost the battle to fight back a yawn.
The look of concern was back on her face. She lightly tugged at him, encouraging him towards the bed. He silently agreed to her request and pulled off his clothes as he went, leaving them where they fell. He would pick them up later.
Daniel removed his glasses, placed them on the bedside cabinet and rubbed his drowsy eyes before gratefully slipping into bed. The cool crisp sheets were welcoming to his warm, tired body. He sighed as his weary muscles took comfort in the yielding softness of the bed. He yawned and stretched out, getting comfortable.
On the opposite side of the bed, Leesia joined him. "Are you sure you are feeling well?" Leesia asked him again, noticing his tired sigh.
He rolled onto his side to face her and draped his arm lightly over her swollen abdomen, feeling the tingles flow freely between them. "Nothing a good nights sleep wont cure."
He graced his fingers over her and felt her stomach twitch. They both jumped in response.
"Did you feel that?" she asked.
"That was her?" he asked smiling.
"Presumably that means she is ready to be born."
Daniel's eyes widen and his jaw dropped in shock. He silently stuttered a 'what' before he swallowed and finally managed to choke out "Now?"
"No, but soon." she said with a small chuckle at his startled appearance.
"We should go and see Janet." he was instantly out of bed. He glanced at his watch. Janet would still be there, if they hurried.
"Daniel," Leesia moaned from the bed. "I am fine. Your baby is fine. You however are exhausted! I shall see Janet first thing in the morning. Come back to bed."
"You're sure?"
She smiled; for once, it seemed he wasn't going to be as stubborn as usual. "Positive." she said holding her arms out to him.
He couldn't resist that silken invitation, crawled over the bed so he could lean over her, and kiss those tempting lips. "I love you," he said before he turned his attention back to her stomach and planted another kiss on the summit. "Daddy loves you too," he whispered to his un-born baby.
…
The alarm beeped its irritatingly loud interruption into the peace of slumber land. Leesia forced her sleepy eyes open. She focused her energy and the beeping died. Next to her Daniel still slept, though he looked too tense to be sleeping peacefully. She decided not to wake him yet, grabbed her clothes and tiptoed to the bathroom.
The smell of freshly brewed Sumatra Mandheling coffee wafted threw the house and woke him half an hour later. He stretched, sat up and rubbed his tired eyes. He felt worse than he had done the night before, even though, according to the alarm clock he had had nine hours sleep. It didn't make sense. He needed to talk to someone about this and made a mental note to speak to Sam when he got into the SGC.
He threw his robe around him and wondered through and found Leesia in the kitchen, preparing waffles. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, stroking the taught skin that peeked out from under her vest top. "Morning." he said as he hid a kiss on the side of her neck.
She leaned back against him. "Morning. Are you feeling better?" she asked, even though she could hear in his voice that he was still tired.
He debated lying and saying he was fine for a nanosecond, but realised that it was futile. If he looked, half as bad as he felt there was no point and she wouldn't thank him for it. "No," he confessed, dropping his chin to rest on her shoulder. "But that will help." he added eyeing the coffee she had made for him. He reluctantly let go of her and poured himself a cup.
"Were you experiencing strange dreams again?" she inquired as he took a big gulp.
"Yeah." he said adding a third sugar and taking a bigger swig.
"What happens in them?"
"It's not important," he told her. "They're just dreams, nothing to worry about. You didn't have to do this." he said gesturing to the breakfast she presented in front of him.
"I believed you would require the energy."
She watched him finish and clear his plate, with a knowing smile playing across her face. "You really have no intention of telling me the significance of this day, do you?"
He turned to face her, a little stunned, as she stepped up close. "Who told you?"
"Sam did when we went shopping the other week. That was when I got you this," she said as she took hold of his hand and slipped an assorted coloured beaded bracelet over his wrist, next to his watch. "I could not decide which gem would be most beneficial so I opted for one of each. Each one is has a meaning. This one," she pinched a purple bead. "Is for healing of the mind, body and spirit. This one." she interacted a pink one. "Is for all matters of the heart," she pointed out each one in turn. "Health, intelligence, courage, protection, PMS-"
"PMS?" he questioned with raised eyebrows.
"I thought it may help with your stubborn side." she smiled and continued around the band. "Happiness, wealth, success, strength. Although, as a linguist, I believe this one may be a little pointless," she added pinching hold of the final one, a dark blue one. "It is for aiding communication."
He laughed and she turned his head towards her gently and pressed a sweet kiss on his lips. "Happy Birthday, Daniel."
…
Leesia tapped on the doorframe of the Majors lab. "Sam, may I speak with you?"
"Of course." Sam smiled. "Is something wrong?" she couldn't help but notice the look of deep concern on the former Ancients face.
"I am getting increasingly concerned about Daniel." Leesia told her. "He is fatigued all the time at the present yet he is sleeping more than I. No matter how much sleep he gets, he always wakes un-rested. He tells me he is dreaming but will not divulge the nature of these dreams. I know they are not nightmares."
"How do you know that?" Sam inquired.
Leesia thought for a long second, wondering if it was right to be speaking to Samantha about this. It was of a sensitive nature and Daniel was a private person. However, Samantha was his friend, he trusted her, so, she decided, she should also.
"He speaks in his sleep when he is having nightmares," she told the Major. "It wakes me. Sometimes he calls for his parents, more often it is for Sha'ra. Usually I talk to him and it calms him enough for him to sleep peacefully once again but these dream are not the same."
"You can't coax him out of them?" Sam asked.
"He is not rousing me," she said exasperatedly. "And he isn't talking to me when he is awake either. He is shutting me out, preventing me from helping him once again."
Sam never made it her business to interfere in other peoples relationships, but she could see how anxious this was making Leesia and she knew how stubbornly tight-lipped Daniel could be. He believed that, because it was Sarah he was dreaming of, Leesia would get jealous. But mere seconds ago she had told Sam that she knew he dreamt of Sha'ra and there was not even a hint of jealousy in her tone, only love and concern for Daniel.
"His dreams are of Sarah, an ex-girlfriend of his, who has since been taken as a host of a Goa'uld."
"Osiris." Leesia nodded. "Daniel spoke of her before. He wished to be able to save her. Is that why it is troubling him?"
"That's what I thought, but he says things are different. The tablet about the lost city is there. He thinks that there's a chance the location could be hidden in his subconscious and he's trying to translate it."
"I guess it is possible, but I strongly doubt it. If that where the case then I would remember." seeing Sam confused expression Leesia explained. "When Daniel descended it was not through choice and his memories were taken from him. I retook human form as a last resort to escape punishment. I couldn't risk losing him. Not again. I knew I would have to lose a bulk of my memories in human form. I gave up everything before I met him. So unlike Daniel I still have some memories of being an Ancient."
"He has remembered something from when he was ascended." Sam argued.
"Yes." Leesia sounded proud. "My Daniel would find a loop hole. He is so determined. Or there is a possibility that Oma had something to do with that."
"You should talk to him."
"I agree. I do not understand his reluctance to do so." Leesia looked sad and thoughtful.
"He just doesn't want to trouble you with all this while you're pregnant."
"Perhaps," Leesia sighed sounding unconvinced.
"Please don't think that because he spoke to me and not you had anything to do with how much he trusts you. He was only worried that you would be jealous or read something more into it."
"Oh, no Samantha I would not think that. I am relived that he has someone he can confide in. He has spent too much of his life feeling alone. You are family to him and for that I can only be happy."
…
The bright flash woke Daniel. He sat bolt upright, breathing heavily. However, the bedroom was dark and empty. That was just too real for comfort.
His sudden movement woke Leesia instantly. "Daniel, what is it?" She sat up and put her hand on his shoulder. "What is wrong?"
He turned to her mutely, unsure how to answer her.
She eyed him closely; frowning as if searching for the answers, he was unwilling to give her in his eyes. Suddenly her frown deepened and she craned her neck closer to him. "What is that?" she gently took his chin and turned his head away from her.
"What?" Daniel asked now unable to see her face.
He felt her lightly run her fingers across his temple and he winced with a quick inhale as a sharp stab shot threw his head. "Ow."
The bedside light flicked itself on as Leesia climbed out of bed as speedily as she could. She retrieved a hand held mirror and handed it to him. "Look." she told him.
Taking the mirror from her, he looked at himself and instantly saw what she had spotted. Between his eye and hairline was a small red mark, around it a precise circle of raw looking skin, a perfect telltale sign of the use of a Goa'uld memory device.
"I do not think those dreams are entirely yours," she said.
"Osiris." he said as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "She wants the gate address to the lost city."
…
Daniel watched with a sharp eye as the team installed the cameras around his home. Keeping a mental list of how many there was and where they were located. When this was all over, he did not wish anyone accidentally viewing anything that happened between Leesia and himself within these walls.
It had not taken long for the team to form a plan. The rest of SG-1 would wait in the surveillance van and block the beam once Osiris was in, preventing her escape. They would wait as long as possible before taking her down with tranquillizer darts, giving as much time as they could for Daniel to finish his translation of the tablet. The Tok'ra were even on stand by to remove the Goa'uld from Sarah should the plan wield results. The trap was set; all that was needed now was for Daniel to act as the bait.
"When they're done I want you to go back to the SGC with them. You'll be safe there," he told Leesia.
"What! No I am staying with you," she said.
"You can't stay. You're pregnant"
"I am aware of that. And that fact does not change what I wish to do, or who I am."
"What if you get hurt?" Daniel argued.
"What if you get hurt because I was not here...or one of the others."
"That's a risk I'm prepared to take," he told her matter-of-factly.
"Well I am not!" she shouted at him with enough force to cause the bulb above there head to brighten considerable before winking out and Daniel heard one of the men grumble about loosing audio from the feeds.
He could see the fear that flashed through those beautifully warm eyes as she realised what she had done. She had to keep control of her abilities right now; his life may depend on the technology in this room tonight. With a scowl, he took her by the elbow, a little harder than he meant to, and lead her out the back door into their garden.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to lose my temper; I just know I can help."
"I'm sure you could but Leesia this is what we do. We have to take these risks for the greater good. Translating this tablet could mean the location of the lost city. Not to mention that we could actually free Sarah and kill Osiris."
"I know." Leesia agreed, her tone still determined. "It is for those reasons that I wish to assist you all."
"No," Daniel said shaking his head. "This is our job, not yours. We take the risk and get the job done, whatever it takes. But however important it may be I will not risk you for anything."
"She may become suspicious if I am not there." she continued her argument.
"Dammit Leesia, I'm not having you within a hundred feet of a Goa'uld!" Daniel snapped, losing his temper with her persistence.
"Daniel the last time you refused to let me assist you I lost you for months and when I got you back you had no recollection as to who I was! I should not have to explain why I wish to stay with you."
He sighed, his chin dropping to his chest as he did and Leesia assumed she had won the argument, until he trumped her.
His voice was low and soft, but full of sorrow. "And I shouldn't have to say why I don't what you near a Goa'uld after what happened with Sha're!" He knew that it was a guilt-trip-cheep-shot but he was not below taking it if it meant keeping Leesia and his baby safe.
Leesia sadly conceded. "May I at least be permitted stay in the surveillance van? I will be less apprehensive if I can at least know what is happening."
He did not like it. It was still to close to the Goa'uld as far as he was concerned. Hell, the same planet was too close, but he agreed to her terms. Stress was not good for the baby. If she weren't pregnant, he would have probably asked one of the SF's to take her back to Cheyenne Mountain, by force if they had to, whatever it took to keep her safe. He had lost his former wife to the Goa'uld and he could not bear it if history repeated itself.
…
Miles above them in a cloaked cargo ship Anubis' face rippled on the surface of the long-range communication ball that Osiris held.
"He is close," the Goa'uld inside the body of Sarah Gardner was telling him, "Tonight should be the last night."
"Good. When it is done bring the woman back with you."
"My lord?" Osiris questioned. Anubis had not shown any interest in anything other than the gate address to the lost city of the Ancients in all of the reports before.
"I believe she holds the key for which I have been searching." Anubis said leaving Osiris wondering what possible interest the Goa'uld could have for Doctor Jackson's wife.
…
Jack was already getting itchy feet. Unlike his Jaffa friend the idea of a stake out was not fun to him, it was downright dull. After glancing around the inside of the van and finding nothing to occupy him, he turned his attention to his friend on the monitor. Daniel was sprawled on his back on top of the covers in his bedroom. His eyes closed and hands fisted either side of his head. He looked peaceful enough, probably already asleep.
"Hey Daniel… You asleep yet?" he whispered into the microphone.
"Yes, Jack. I'm fast asleep," the archaeologist replied sarcastically.
Sam and Leesia exchanged a look and a small giggle.
Teal'c cheerfully pulled the white cardboard box loaded with assorted donuts to him. After opening the lid and examining the colourful treats, he offered the box to Sam. She smiled and declined. He leaned over her to present the box to Jack.
"What you got there?" the Colonel took a good look, before also turning down the offer. After his one attempt last year to take a spoonful of ice cream from the Jaffa he now knew better than to take food from him. "No, thanks. I'll pass."
Teal'c inclined his head and turned to offer the box to Leesia.
"Careful there T! Offering those to a pregnant lady…you could lose a finger." Jack teased.
Leesia shot him with a dirty look before accepted a donut from the offered box. "Thank you Teal'c."
"I believe your theory to be incorrect O'Neill." the Jaffa said, causing Sam to hide yet another giggle.
The bright white flash drew the group's attention back to the screen showing the bedroom. Osiris stood leaning over Daniel. The ribbon device shone briefly before they heard the high-pitched buzz and snap of the memory device, as Osiris placed it to Daniel's temple.
Sam activated the frequency jamming equipment and Jack and Teal'c left to get into position inside the house, but through all the activity Leesia kept her eyes fixed on the monitor, feeling the panic grip her. She took some deep breaths and forced herself to calm down; she could not risk losing control of her abilities around all of this technology.
"He'll be okay." Sam assured her seeing her worried expression. "Look Jack and Teal'c are in position." She pointed to another monitor showing Jack in the hallway just outside the bedroom, the mass of Teal'c behind him. "Anything happens they'll be in there straight away."
Leesia nodded knowing Sam spoke the truth. His friends cared for him deeply; they would not let anything happen to him. She relaxed a little, but refused to take her eyes off the screen. It was going to be a long night.
They waited and watched for hours, hardly moving. Neither of them recognized when the sun climbed into the sky, until Jack's whispered voice, from the radio, broke into the silence.
"Carter."
"She's still in there sir." Sam replied.
"How much longer do we wait?"
"I don't know. Daniel must be getting close."
"How unfortunate for you." Osiris' voice sounded through the speakers. Just before the fluctuating hum of the ribbon device as she held her hand over Daniel's forehead. The bright yellow glowed over his face. He remained perfectly still, captured in the paralysing effects of the beam.
"She's killing him!" Leesia said at the same time as Sam instructed the others to move in.
"Leesia wait!" she called as the pregnant woman darted from the van. The major was hot on her heals and pulled her behind the van just as the energy blast from Osiris' ring weapon hit the ground, where the pair of them had been standing moments before. Using the hood of the van to cover her Sam took aim at the strawberry blonde Goa'uld with the Zat. The shot rippled up and over Osiris' personal force field, leaving her completely unharmed.
"Again, Sam." Leesia told her wearing a look of deep concentration.
As Sam lined up her second shot, she saw the force field ripple with static, as if it was faltering, Leesia's ability causing interference in the power. Sam's second shot hit its target and Osiris went down. Instantly Leesia was up and rushing to the house, dodging past a stunned looking Jack. She heard him ask, "What happened?", but she did not wait to hear the response. She needed to see that Daniel was okay with her own eyes.
In the bedroom, Daniel pulled the memory device off his temple. "Argh!" he groaned in pain. Though the disc was off the stabbing throb remained.
"Will you be all right Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked, the concern for his friend clear in his deep voice.
"Yeah, go, go, go." he insisted.
While panting against the pain, he pushed the heal of his palms to his eyes, until white flashes assaulted the darkness. It only served to make the pain more intense.
Small, gently hands pulled his away from his face.
"It is over, Daniel." Leesia said soothingly with her silken voice. "You can rest now."
"And Sarah?" he asked urgently.
"-Is being taking back to the SGC. There is no need to worry."
"I should be there. She doesn't know anyone and she'll be scared."
"You will. Later. Now you must rest. Your body is exhausted."
"I'll be fine," he argued, though he knew she was right. How many nights had he not been able to sleep suitably because of these dreams? Five? Or was it six? It seemed longer. That coupled with the memory device leaving a stabbing pain through his temple and the effects of the ribbon device burning through his head, his brain felt like it was fighting to get out of his skull.
"Daniel, feel me." she said her hand cupping his cheek.
He didn't understand. Fatigue was clouding his thoughts. He frowned at her and was about to question her meaning when he noticed what was missing from her delicate touch. The tingles.
"You are too drained to share your energy. You need to rest. Your baby needs you to rest." he allowed her to ease him onto his back.
His heavy eyelids closed finally. "Tell the others I couldn't do it. The translation I…"
"Shh. Sleep now."
Her small, warm, now tingle-less hands stroked his face, his neck, his hair. Smoothing away his pain and pushing him into the required tranquillity of a long awaited dreamless sleep.
When she saw his lips slightly part and the slow steady rhythm of his breath mutely whistle threw them she knew he was asleep. It was over and he was safe. She smiled.
