Antiam sighed, relaxing into the couch that Daniel had stolen from Jack's office when they finally reassigned it to another. Daniel had asked her to come by, so she was waiting for him to return from his mission. She wished she knew what it was about. Going into any situation-even with Daniel leading the way-left her feeling off balance and out of her depth. It was something she hated more than almost anything.

"I was afraid I'd missed you," Adam announced his presence, as he studied her intently. "You look rather done in, my dear."

She rolled her eyes. "I just arrived, drama boy. And I don't plan on going anywhere till Daniel lets me know why he wanted to see me."

"So, you hide in his office from him? Clever."

Antiam smirked. "He's not old and infirm like some I could name. He'll seek me out and find me."

"Ouch, love. That really hurt," he pouted, entering the room.

"Any ideas what this is about?" she asked. Daniel had been annoyingly-and surprisingly-tightlipped about what he wanted.

Sitting on the arm of the couch, he relaxed until he was sprawled across her lap and most of the couch. "I didn't even know that you were coming until I gave my report, so I haven't a clue. If I had, I would have listened more carefully."

Absently brushing his dark hair, she pondered the situation. "There's been no whispers of any kind?" she pressed, finding it odd that he'd heard nothing.

"Well," he began after a moment's reflection, "there was talk of a repository that may possibly contain the knowledge of the Ancients. Major Carter and Martouf took a team to see if they could download the information into our computers. Other than that, I know nothing."

"It failed," a voice from the doorway said despondently. "I didn't know you were back, Dr. Pierson."

"Just arrived," he nodded his greeting at Daniel. "You look tired-and sunburned."

"I am." Looking pointedly at him, then the door, Daniel waited.

Adam ignored the clue and remained where he was.

"Dr. Pierson, I'd like a word with Antiam."

"Go right ahead," he invited.

"Alone," he tersely spoke.

"My dear, I believe he's kicking me out. Are you going to let him?" he asked, sounding hurt.

Antiam shrugged. "It is his office."

Adam sniffed. "Fine. I can tell when I'm not wanted." He rose and walked slowly out the door. "Do remember me once in a while, old friend."

"Less of the old, old man," she retorted. "I'll see you later."

He walked off, a wounded sound in his final words. "Sure you will. When I've got one foot in the grave and the rest of me is just waiting to fall in."

Daniel shut the door, muttering about 'drama queens'. With a practiced move, he turned the camera off and the white noise generator went on. Sitting on the couch, he contemplated his hands. After a while, he cleared his throat. "The repository of the Ancients," he began, not raising his eyes to meet her own.

Antiam felt a terrible dread fill her. "No."

"You don't even know what this is about." He protested, startled by her absolute refusal.

"I don't need to know if you can't meet my eyes and it has something to do with the repository."

"Everyone else has looked. Teal'c tried again, we thought that there might be a chance for him now that junior's gone. I looked but was unable to access it." There was some bitterness in his voice-and anger. Once more, he had been denied the ability to help. Pushing it aside, he focused on her.

"I won't do it."

"We are working on a limited timetable that we can't predict. When Anubis finds it-and you know he will, that knowledge is lost to us. All that the Ancients knew, he will know. He will use it against us and we have no defense against that. The Ascendeds won't interfere," he pressed. "You know what Anubis is capable of."

"Don't ask me to do this, Daniel."

"We need that knowledge. It is the only thing that we have that has the power to stop Anubis and his quest for domination. The knowledge will not accept any of us. It has locked me out. Only you can do this, Jack."

She bolted off the couch, frightened by the sheer force of his assertion. By his belief in her ability to do this. "Daniel," she began.

"Do you trust me?" he asked suddenly. She floundered, thrown off by the unexpected inquiry. "It is a yes or no question, Jack. Do you trust me?"

"You know that I do."

"Then know that I WILL NOT LET YOU DIE."

She faced him, a kind of fury there in her eyes and face. A well spring of sorrow was mingled there as well. "Don't you get it? If I do this, it is on my terms. Mine and no one else's."

"It doesn't have to be that way," he protested, knowing what she was saying.

"Yes. It does. And you know it. It has to be Colonel O'Neill who looks into the repository-and he has to die because of it. No one else will be accepted," she avowed. "He has lived in the shadows long enough, the perfect soldier must be allowed to lay down his weapons of war."

"And what better way than saving the world with his family beside him," he sighed. "It'll be difficult. Janet will have to be there. And Teal'c and Sam will need to know about you."

"You plan the mission, Daniel. Don't tell Carter or Teal'c, though he knows," she ordered.

"He does?"

"Well, he suspects stuff. And he knows that I am different. Daniel, I never would have told him over you," she was exasperated with him. When he raised his hands in surrender, she turned their conversation to her death. "I will plan for my own death."

"You've done this before?"

"I've had to. Five thousand some odd years is a long time. And always with my anmchara's aid," she cryptically informed him. "I must inform the Asgard and prepare the way for my return. Until later, take care, Daniel."

Anmchara? he thought, mystified. That was a new word to him.

Pulling out his dictionary of Irish and Celtic words, a gift Jack had gotten him so that he could add to his repertoire of languages, he looked it up. The inscription on the inside of the cover made him laugh. Daniel. You might as well learn something I might have an interest in one day. Hey! Don't laugh. It could happen. May be. In my life time. Nah, you're right. It'll never happen. Jack.

"Soul friend. Someone to be trusted over a whole lifetime. The Irish believe that those without a soul friend is like a body without a head." The implications behind her words sank in and he sank to his knees, absolutely floored with the shock of the revelation. "Oh, Jack," he whispered. Old conversations drifted through his mind. One stood out amongst all the others.

How did you do it?

Do what? Jack asked, puzzled.

Live all that time without losing your mind.

Jack had smiled sadly, but there was a happy light in his eyes. In my first life, there was this man who had become my dearest friend. He was there for my first death. He was my reason for staying sane because he always found a way back to me, like he promised. I don't know what I would've done without him.

Promised?

Daniel, let it go. I can't talk about it now, its just to painful.

Though they had had many talks about his immortality and past lives, that one was not one they had had while they'd worked at the SGC. That was something Jack had accidentally revealed when he'd been ascended. One of the few things he remembered from his ascension.

So, Jack wasn't the only one who'd lived several lifetimes, Daniel had as well.

Somehow, for some reason, he had come back into Jack's life over the centuries. No wonder his ascension had stricken his friend so hard. Had so devastated him. If he had followed the rules, they never would have met up again. But why couldn't Jack just tell him these things? Why did he have to be so cryptic all the time?

"Daniel, is everything all right?"

He looked up and saw Janet's concerned face. When he first had thought of Antiam and who she really was, he had gone to talk to Janet about his idea. Though reluctant, she had agreed that it was the best, really the only, option before them "Yes. She's going to help-and you'll need to be there." Pushing aside his emotions, he focused on the matter before them, trusting that she'd know what that implied.

The doctor knew what that meant. All to well. Farewell, Jack O'Neill, Janet thought. She had known that it was just a matter of time till this happened. But how would he pull this one off?

656

"Are you sure that this is what you wish to do, O'Neill?"

"Thor, I don't wish it. I fear this. But I have to do it," the now restored Jack said.

"You do understand that with the poisons of the sarcophagus still flowing within your body that to do this may very well lead to your final death? We may not be able to save you this time."

"I know," he sighed. "But it is a risk that I must take. Anubis will not stop and those that allow him to exist will not stop him-though the gods know he is violating their rules."

"Do not be so harsh on the Ascended ones, O'Neill. They are what they are, as we are. They follow their rules, as we all must follow ours. If we did not, chaos would rule." Thor remarked, turning a dial. "We shall depart for the SGC now." Beaming into the General's office, they surprised him.

Quickly, the general recovered and stood up with a forced smile. "Thor, we were not expecting you or Colonel O'Neill."

"General Hammond, I apologize that we are unable to help you at this time. The replicators have taken over a sector of our universe and we must deal with them so that they will not come here. I fear that they wish you harm for your aiding us. I have brought O'Neill to help you out. I shall return as soon as I am able." With that, the Supreme Commander departed.

"Colonel O'Neill, where have you been?" he stiffly greeted him.

"Teaching children along the Yangtze River," he shrugged.

"For two years?" he skeptically asked.

"I'm a slow teacher," he joked. "Why did Thor get me?"

"He didn't tell you?" He looked at him, doubt in his eyes.

"I'm aware that you know the truth, General Hammond. Work with me here, I'm trying to lay down a foundation so that Kinsey can't object. In order for us to get the information from the repository, there can be no reason for him to prevent me from going through the 'gate and using the information. You know as well as I do that there is only one person who can do this-me. And only one man poses a threat to all that we are attempting to do here-Vice President Kinsey."

General Hammond knew these words to be truth. Still, seeing the colonel standing there, acting as if nothing had happened, irked him. "And what of Major Carter?"

"What of her?" he asked. "I'm retired. She runs SG-1. I'm here because Thor knew of your need."

"Will you be able to follow her orders?"

"Of course, she would be my commander while we were in the field. It would be extremely arrogant of me to assume that I know what to do," he replied. "But that isn't what you want to hear, is it?"

"What?"

"You want to hear me say I'm sorry for how we parted. And I am, very much so. The words I spoke, though I felt that they needed to be said, should not have been spoken. So, I'm sorry," he finished.

"Sit down, Colonel O'Neill, there is much that needs to be discussed." With that, Jack was reinstated into the SGC. But not into full trust.

Now, he would need to work to prove himself worthy of that trust.

656

Daniel knocked on the folded over door. "Sam, I have something to tell you."

His somber tone alerted her to the serious nature of the conversation. "Is something wrong?"

"Jack's back," he baldly stated after closing the door behind him.

Blue eyes froze, "how do you know?"

"General Hammond," he replied.

"When? And why?"

"Just now, the repository."

"How?"

"The Asgard," he answered. "And Jack is the only one who has the capacity to gain and use that knowledge."

"How do I face him?"

"Shouldn't I be asking that?" A voice asked at the door they hadn't heard open. Turning around, they stared at him, one with shock on her face. The other, a considering look as he studied the lined face. "What? No hello?"

Daniel smiled bemusedly. "You're a lot grayer than I remembered you being."

"Got everyone of them from you, Danny," he teased lightly.

"Hello, sir." Carter spoke quietly, giving him a salute automatically.

"I'm retired, Carter, ditch the sir and the salute."

"Didn't want you to think that I had lost my respect for you," she quietly replied, dropping her salute. "Like you have for me."

Jack took a step back, hit by the venom in her words, though he knew full well that he deserved it.

Entering the room, he closed the door softly behind him. "Carter. Sam, I'm sorry," he simply said, knowing further words were needed. "The words I spoke to you should've remained unspoken. Over the years, you have never given me cause to doubt your loyalty or your compassion."

"You hurt me," she snapped angrily. "You left me to deal with Daniel's ascension. Alone. Teal'c had his family and his rebellion to occupy and comfort him. Martouf and dad could not always be here for me when the loneliness got too much for me to bear. Janet had Cassie and later Nigel for comfort and love. What did I have? I had your work. I had Daniel's work. You both were my family! You were my brothers and my friends-AND BOTH OF YOU LEFT ME! You left me behind, like you didn't care. Like I was nothing to you."

The words bounced off the walls, crescendoing with her pain.

"Without thinking, you left me to pick up the pieces of losing my brother. You acted in a heedless, selfish manner and you think that some pithy words of apology will heal what you did? That sending me something 'sciency' will ease that hurt, that ache inside?

"I NEEDED YOU HERE AND YOU WEREN'T!"

By this time, she was shaking with sobs and curling around herself. After two years of suppression, the feelings were not going to be denied ventilation any longer. Mirroring her posture unconsciously was Daniel. Every word stung his heart and left him aching for her-and angry with himself.

"Both of you left me and didn't care how I felt. How I would deal with the fallout of what was happening to my world. All you saw was the scientist in the Major's uniform. SUPER!Sam, the girl marvel who could solve any problem put before her because that's what she does best. The Tok'Ra with the survival skills from years of dealing with the Goa'uld and doing what I needed to do to survive. I am a HUMAN BEING! I feel. I bleed. I love. I cry. I NEEDED YOU HERE WITH ME.

"I know that I'm no Daniel, sir, that I can't even come close to being your friend like he was, but did you have to make me feel like I was nothing to you?" Her voice cracked and she stopped, unable to find anything else to say as the sobs tore at her.

Jack crossed the room and pulled her into a hug, silent tears running down his face. With a whispered apology for his part in her pain, Daniel joined them.

656

Jack, Sam, and Daniel left the office hours later, going to Teal'c's. Though still on shaky ground, they were doing much better.

"I'll go change while you get Teal'c," Sam quickly said, feeling ashamed of her behavior.

"Sam," Jack rested a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Stop it. I behaved like an ass."

"You said it, not me, sir." She gave him a watery grin and a weak chuckle. "If I see Janet, do you want me to invite her?"

Daniel answered for them, knowing that Jack would agree. "I think we need this night for SG-1."

For the first time that day, she gave them both a true smile. Then they knew that they'd be all right. Later that night, as Jack and Daniel sat on the deck looking at the stars, the linguist offered his opinion. "You should tell Sam."

He sighed, shaking his head. "What of Jolinar? There is a reason for my reticence in telling people what I am-don't you think that Canaan is a good reason to keep it from the Tok'Ra?"

"Its only Sam and you trust her, right?"

"Of course," he replied. "But, Daniel, it isn't just her. Jolinar is always with her, she is privy to all of Carter's thoughts. Both women wouldn't wish to keep a secret from Marty or Jacob, so Lantash and Selmak would learn my secret. That's five more people than I can afford to have knowing the truth-especially when you realize that the knowledge would pass down to their future hosts."

"Jack, she thinks you're going to be around when this is over. When you die, it'll be a blow she's not ready for."

"I know that and I'm sorry for it. But I can't take that chance, even though I want to." He turned and faced his grave friend. "I am fully aware of what this will do to Carter, to Sam-and to you."

"Me?" he scoffed. "I know the truth."

"But I will never be Jack O'Neill, again. There will be no grave for you to go to for mourning or final good-byes. No place for you to go to tell me about what is happening or what new discovery you've made. The soul that is me will live on-but Jack will not." He made a conscious decision to not reveal that he may truly die from the repository download. Daniel didn't need to feel that guilt.

Daniel was still, staring at Jack. "I never thought of it like that."

"I know," he softly replied. "I will be as dead to you as to Carter-to Sam. It's better that she not find out the truth, Daniel. It would be more painful for her in the end."

656

Giving one last look to the original members of SG-1, Jack faced the machine. It was the same, black thing. It emitted the same, weird lights that he remembered. It still called to him with its siren song of remembrance, drawing him nearer to oblivion's kiss.

But he remembered the pain it had brought. The chaos it had established within his mind. The war it started inside him as two parts battled for control. Fear nearly took over and he had to exert control to keep his limbs from fleeing away from the device that represented a lack of command.

He moved towards its icy grip and felt it take hold of him. Felt the same pain and pleasure as his mind was invaded and rearranged to hold the repository's contents. Felt himself slipping away from the sights and sounds around him as the ground rushed up to greet him.

Regaining consciousness was easier this time, he fuzzily thought as he leaned on Daniel. Must have something to do with being shot at. Daniel shoved him through the gate and he saw the general waiting. Vaguely, he made some kind of comment before Janet hauled him into the infirmary.

656

Already, he could feel the knowledge swimming and reordering itself in prominence. But they thought it would be a day or so before it made its presence known. A fair assumption considering he'd been under observation for a day before their briefing and the infamous 'cruvus' incident.

"What?" he quipped as he waltzed up the stairs. "Meet my maker? Be pushing up the daisies? See the pearly gates? Join the choir invisible?"

"Should you be up, Colonel?"

"Janet saw no reason to keep me, General, and kicked me out. So, with your permission, I'd like to go home and arrange a few things." He looked at Daniel and saw the agreement in his eyes. "We might even have a wake."

"How can you joke about this?" Carter asked.

"It's what we Irish do. We're fond of our sorrowful joy. Besides, it's a great way to say my good-byes and earnest thanks," he replied.

Daniel winced at the flippancy of the reply, but yielded to the immortal's wisdom in this. "It will take a day for it to show up and I'll be with him should the unexpected happen."

"Very well. You're dismissed," the general agreed. "But don't call it a wake, Colonel, it might put a few people off."

"As you will," Jack shrugged, unconcerned by his words. What they called it did not really matter to him, he was just thankful for the opportunity granted him this time. He and Daniel walked away, leaving Teal'c, Sam, and General Hammond behind.

Proclerush'Teonas.

Poisonous store for the battery they needed, as he had somehow known it would be. Yet, it was necessary that they get it. Nothing would be possible without it. Beaming up from the planet, they found Bre'tac injured, dying from a hideous betrayal.

Jack healed him and fell against Daniel, an identical wound to the one Bre'tac had forming inside his own body. It would not be as lethal, yet it would be slow him down if he let it. Beneath his ear, he could feel the vibrations as Daniel spoke to ease the other's fears.

"Well, I guess you're more advanced this time," he commented calmly, he hoped. In the back of his mind, he wondered if his words were true. Later, as they sat in silence by the rings, he cleared his throat. "Jack, was that gift of healing solely from the device?"

Jack looked up at him, putting aside his work. The flow of Ancient dialect that Daniel addressed him with circled in his mind until the meaning behind the words became clear to him. "No. Yes. My blood gives me healing touch. Not very strong until amplified by device."

"But you do have this power to heal others naturally?" he pressed.

"If I scale back ability to protect my own self, yes." It was a halting explanation. Though Jack wanted to explain things to Daniel fully, it was hard to press back the storm taking over his mind and guiding him to finish the whatever it was he was doing to the rings. "Talk later, Danny."

Blue eyes stared at him sadly, knowing that there would be no later for Jack. Wondering if he knew it himself. Or if the knowledge blocked him from that reality. Life would continue for Antiam. An eternity of later existed for her.

But Jack would never again experience them.

Jack would never walk on Earth again.

Never pass through the Stargate that he loved again.

No more to speak with him, his anam cara again.

To affectionately nickname him.

Or call him Danny in that same half-loving, half-exasperated way that he had.

It filled him with an unbearable weight of wretchedness that filled him with its finality. Mournful blue eyes met soulful brown in a moment of true clarity and understanding. He finally figured out what Jack had been saying. "Jack," he reached out, pleading for something he couldn't say.

A well-remembered embrace caught him in strong arms. These arms that had come to represented safety and security to him, held him tightly.

Security he would never feel in quite the same way again. "You come back to the SGC permanently when this is over, Jack. I won't do this without you anymore. Don't ask it of me." He struggled against the tears threatening to rise.

"Etiam, Daniel," he softly agreed.

Small comfort, he bitterly thought, knowing that he'd withdrawn a promise from Jack his friend was incapable of refusing.

A promise Jack would keep because Daniel had asked him for it.

And one Daniel felt no regret for extracting.

656

"Sir?" Sam's voice broke and she leaned on Martouf. In her heart, she had known that there was no other outcome of the events that had surrounded this mission. The Colonel had been working to hard, to feverishly for any hope of recovery. Still, her heart had hoped for a chance.

Janet stood over him, trying her best to still her own shaking hands as she went about doing her work. Why, she thought desperately, couldn't Dr. Pierson be a medical doctor in this life? Why can't he be doing this?

It was one thing to face a challenger and take their life. It was quite another thing to deliberately kill someone. Especially one who meant so much to her. He had been her friend and one time love.

Daniel's eyes rested on her as he joined her. "How is he?" he asked in a whisper. He didn't think he could do this, not now. He didn't think he had the strength for what had to be done.

"Not good," she replied. Then she buried her face in his shoulder. "I can't do this."

Only Daniel heard the muttered words. His eyes rested on Jack's inert form. They rose to meet the pleading and accepting brown eyes. "Jack?" he softly asked, asking without words what he should do now.

"Aveo," he whispered in reply. "Aveo, amacuse."

"What did he say?" Sam asked.

"Good-bye, friends" he whispered hoarsely. Daniel knew what he had to do. Sliding the knife unobtrusively free from Janet's unresisting grip, he approached the chair. "Aveo, amicuse," he replied, speaking his own final good-bye to him.

Jack's thanks were heartfelt and brought fresh pain to Daniel. Stealing his will, he leaned over to close the eyes-and slide the knife into the stilling heart of his friend. "Tibi gratias ago," the colonel repeated.

Sam and Janet's twin cries of pain pierced the stillness. Martouf held Sam as Daniel returned to embrace the shaking doctor. Teal'c stood back, face stoic but eyes alive with grief. Master Bre'tac ringed down and realized at a glance what had happened. "He was a true man and a valiant warrior."

No more fitting words could be spoken as Jack's eulogy and they were grateful for the simple, eloquent words of the master warrior. For of them all, only he seemed to be able to speak over the grief they all felt inside.

The ride to a neutral world was silent. The body in the back made no move. It was at that moment that the reality of Jack's death sunk in for Daniel. Trancelike, he entered the room and slid down beside the body. His hand reached out and softly brushed back the hair that rested on the cool forehead restlessly.

The knife lay hidden. No eyes would see what had truly ended Jack's life. It would keep him from reviving, keep him dead, but then what would happen to him?

What was going to happen to the man he'd called friend?

And killed?

Unnoticed by the others, he slipped into a catatonic state.

656

Teal'c carried Jack's body down the ramp as they entered the SGC.

The President, Vice President, and General Hammond stood at the ramp's bottom, waiting to greet them. It took them no more than a glance to realize that the man had died in Antarctica. Anubis had been defeated; there was no doubt about that. An amazing defense force had been uncovered, for which they were grateful.

But the price had been Jack O'Neill's life.

"It went as well as could be expected, GeneralHammond. I shall take O'Neill to the Infirmary."

General Hammond nodded, watching with more than a little concern as the rest of the team staggered down the ramp. When Master Bre'tac emerged, he was not as startled as he probably should've been to see Daniel resting heavily upon the Jaffa as they moved. "Injured?" he asked, knowing that it couldn't be that simple a solution.

"Shock," Janet corrected, leaning on Martouf.

Sam stood-barely-on her own two feet and saluted. "Give me your report later, Major. All of you should get into the Infirmary," he forestalled her attempts to speak to him.

Nigel rounded the corner, having been alerted to their presence by Walter, breathing heavily as he came to a stop. Seeing Janet's condition, he took her into his arms and guided her away.

Once free of the doctor, Martouf clasped Sam's arm and led her away, soothing her. Not caring anymore what people thought, she collapsed. Stopping, he swung her up into his arms and carried her away.

Master Bre'tac greeted them, effortlessly supporting Daniel's boneless form. Blue eyes sightlessly stared into nothing-until the sight of Vice President Kinsey registered with him. There was a tiny smirk of satisfaction on his face as he offered his condolences for what had happened.

Snapping out of his shock, he decked the man as hard as he could, stopping the words cold. "Shut up, you deceitful liar," he hissed. "Don't speak. Your mere presence offends Jack's sacrifice and all that we do here."

"Dr. Jackson!" General Hammond exclaimed, caught between horror and delight. Kinsey had been asking for that, it was true but still…to hit the Vice President? In front of the President? What would he think?

"It's okay, George. Dr. Jackson has been through much pain and grief," President Hayes hid a smile behind his soothing words. Kinsey's attitude bothered him because he knew how the man really felt about the personal of the SGC. "Master Bre'tac, is it?"

Bre'tac had been studying the man they called 'president' and found much in him to like. "It is."

"Would you please help Dr. Jackson to the Infirmary."

"It will be my privilege to do so," he bowed respectfully, noting that the man returned it. Then, taking the enraged man by the arm, led him out of the gate room.

656

Thor beamed into the Infirmary with its sole occupants-Daniel and O'Neill. Red-rimmed eyes met the dark ones of the Asgard, a dim light of hope in them. He rose and bowed respectfully, before gesturing him to come forward.

Moving past, he raised his hand and scanned the body, turning away after a moment. A thorn pierced Daniel's heart and he shook his head in denial of the knowledge that Thor's movement revealed to him. "Thor?" he semi-pleaded.

"I give no second opinions when none is needed," he simply replied.

"I know," he weakly replied, sinking into his chair by the bed.

"I shall inform General Hammond of my plans to bury O'Neill in secrecy," Thor continued.

"Why?"

"O'Neill, even dead, is a valuable commodity for the enemy, as are you. While you may know of the dangers a sarcophagus presents to the soul, it may also bring life back to one who has been dead for a while."

Daniel paled at the thought. "Even with the knife in there?" he asked, knowing Thor would know of the reason for its presence.

"The sarcophagus would break it down, allowing it to become nothing as it does when you are shot and have bullets within your body. It was designed to do so," he explained.

Janet, who had seen Thor's beam from her office, left and returned with the General, Sam, Teal'c, and Cassie in tow. Trailing behind them, unnoticed, was the president. "Thor, its good to see you."

"I only wish that the times were happier."

"What do you plan to do?" Teal'c asked.

"We will take O'Neill away and bury him. If we can, the knowledge of the Ancients will be retrieved and shared with the Tua'ri. Though not as valuable as Dr. Jackson in this war, the enemies you have made would love to get their hands on him. We are not the only race capable of cloning."

"What if you're captured? Even if you've hidden him away, those probes could find out where he is."

"A wise question, Major Carter. Once we have laid him to rest, we will remove the location from ourselves, thus he shall truly rest in peace."

"Which means that we can't come," Daniel whispered despondently.

"I am afraid not. To remove the knowledge from your minds would leave behind evidence of an alteration, for your minds are not like our own," he explained. "There would be some residual memory left behind, though you would not understand its presence. Using the Goa'uld recollection device, the memory would eventually emerge. I bid you farewell."

The two beamed away.

Clearing his throat, the president spoke into the sorrowful silence. "I know that it is no real consolation but I was able to secure a spot in Arlington Cemetery for Colonel O'Neill. Rather than a public funeral as would be normal for a national hero, I will arrange for a private ceremony. I believe that when one considers the circumstances, it would be more appropriate. There will be a headstone for him. Maybe Dr. Jackson could think of what the colonel would want it to say."

Daniel felt the weight of eyes on him and roused himself from his grief to think about it. It was true; he did know Jack's thinking best. "Arkadas. It means, 'he who fights back to back'." The word had come to mind back when Bregman had been asking questions about them. He was glad he found a time to use it.

The president nodded, it fit what he knew of the man. "Very well. I shall see to it."

"Thank you," George said, walking out with him.

"It's nothing compared to what you and your people do. I only wish that it could be more. George, is there any truth behind the rumors?" he asked.

General Hammond stopped and studied his friend. "In all honesty I can say no. SG-1 has been though Hell itself. Twice, with only each other for aid. That is the kind of thing that will bond a team tightly. But then, most of the teams are that way."

"George, a simple no was all I needed. I trust you and your judgment."

"Meaning?"

"That the Stargate Program will remain completely in your hands and you will report only to me, as it was under my predecessor." A wry smile crossed his face. "I know of your fears. While I'm not sure of how this program will face its future, I don't fear it because it is in your hands."

"Thank you," he simply replied.

"Don't thank me yet. I fear that your biggest battle has barely begun."

"Why do I get the feeling that you aren't speaking of the Goa'uld?" He rhetorically asked, knowing the answer.

"Because I'm not," the president bluntly answered. "I can only do so much against Kinsey-even Thor couldn't convince him to let go. But rest assured that I will do what I can."

"I believe that you will," he smiled. "And I do thank you. My people will rest easier knowing that you're behind us in this."

"I just hope that it's enough," he quietly said.

Arlington Cemetery.

"It wasn't supposed to be this way," Sam said, arms wrapped tightly around Daniel. His own were about her, equally tight. Both were wracked with shakes, their distress a palpable force. Teal'c stood behind them. If not for the look in his eyes, a look of one weighted down with sorrow, one would have thought he was unmoved. To his right, stood Bre'tac, Martouf, and Jacob.

"Life never goes as we expect it to," he softly replied. Knowing all the time that it was not enough to console either of them. There were no words that ever could. This was a loss that hit them directly in their hearts. They had not lost a team member, they had lost family.

Janet and Cassie stood with General Hammond, the Kawalsky family and Lou Ferretti on the other side of the headstone resting in the ground. It bore a simple inscription on it chosen by Daniel, though he objected to the addition of Jonathon. Jack had never liked the name and would much prefer to be remembered for the name he bore in life.

Colonel Jonathon "Jack" O'Neill.
Arkadas.

End, Act 21.

Author's Note: Jack's being buried in Arlington. I think he might have been because he is enlisted in the armed forces, which is a qualification, I think. And he did save the world. I had actually meant to end it there but decided it would be too mean. Then again, what do you think? Would resurrecting Jack be a cop-out?

Tibi gratias ago-Thank you. At least that's according to "The Pocket Oxford Latin Dictionary", updated from the 1913 edition by James Morwood in December of 1993.

Anmchara-pronounced an-ha-ra. Soul friend, obviously. Found it in a book, "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill. The reference is on page 177.