Author's note: This is the next one, more on Wednesday. We are almost at the end of this little journey. Four more chapter to go. Let me know what you think. If there is enough response I will post on Thursday as well since I am busy this weekend with family things. The last two chapters will be posted by the end of next week. It just depends when my company leaves.
SG-1 flew over Antarctica and touched down on the ice. Immediately, Jack jumped up and began to modify some of the ship's systems. After fiddling for a while, he climbed back into his seat, lifting off again he flew to the coordinates that the other Daniel had provided and shot at the ice.
Huge chunks of ice flew up into the air, opening a cavern large enough for them to fly into. Then manipulating some of the controls in the Jumper, he opened a set of huge doors allowing them access to the Ancient outpost.
Keying her radio Sam called, "Sheppard and company, this is SG-1 we are arriving in the hanger bay." When the other man responded, Jack flew them inside.
SG-1 exited the Jumper and looked around. Daniel immediately got a kid-in-a-candy-store look on his face and looked everywhere at once. Jack on the other hand began to rummage through the Jumpers parked around the hanger looking for the parts he needed to finish the modifications to the Jumper.
Sheppard hung back for a moment and then walked up to Sam who had Grace in her arms. "I'm Major Sheppard and you are Major Carter or O'Neill, I wasn't sure what to call you," he had a quick smile and if she hadn't already fallen for Jack she probably would have for this guy, she couldn't help but smile back at him.
"Carter, two O'Neills just makes it much more confusing. Nice to meet you, Major. How about you show us around? That is Daniel Jackson our Ancient expert, this is Teal'c he is a Jaffa and over there is Colonel Jack O'Neill, my husband. I'm not sure how much they told you?"
The man's smile was back, "Well almost nothing but I was given this thick file to read on the way to Antarctica. I got through most on the flight and the rest of it while I sat here waiting. I must say at first I thought it was a joke, but when we got through the ice and got in here I was stunned. Well, shall I show you what I've found?"
Jack refused to leave what he was doing with the Jumper but the rest of SG-1 followed Sheppard into the main part of the outpost. He brought them to the chair and stopped. "I have no idea what it does exactly. I can get it to light up and move, but I haven't done more than that since it's supposed to be a weapon."
Daniel studied the walls around him and wondering what he could learn while they waited for Anubis. The location of the Lost City might be here on these walls or in some information storage somewhere. The other Daniel said that information was here he just had to have the time to find it. While the two Majors talked quietly, he wandered around hoping to find the answer he was seeking.
After a while Grace began to cry and Sam excused herself to return to the Jumper to feed her. She also wanted to see how Jack was coming with the modifications, he might need her help.
Smiling when he saw his girls, Jack straighted up and said, "I'm done. Once Anubis' fleet is destroyed we can leave for the Asgard."
Nodding her head, Sam grabbed the blanket and covered up while she nursed the baby.
She had just finished when Hammond came over the radio from the Prometheus. "SG-1 this is Hammond. They're here. The Prometheus is engaging as are the F-302s. If you found something down there, we need it up here."
Jack touched Sam's face briefly, then headed to the chair and sat down. From one end of the outpost a hanger like door opened showing them daylight. At first nothing happened and then little squid like drones shot up into the air by the millions.
Immediately they heard the F-302 pilots over the radio. "They are fishy like things and they are attacking Anubis' fleet. They don't stand a chance. Some of them are trying to flee."
In minutes it was all over, the radio fell silent but no one said a word until Hammond's voice came over the radio, "The threat has been neutralized. Way to go everyone." The radio was filled with celebrating. Hammond's voice came over the radio again, "SG-1 you were successful. The enemy fleet has been destroyed. Thank you what are you plans for Jack now?"
Sam looked over at Jack who was exhausted, "We're going to the Asgard, Jack got the Jumper's hyper drive working and it should take us there. We're taking Sheppard if that is all right. You'll need to find someone else with the gene to help you out down here until we get back."
"All right SG-1, you have a go but be careful, I want all of you to come back. I'll have some people ring down to secure the site and start testing people for the gene. Hopefully someone on this tub has it. I have some supplies for you first." Boxes appeared on the ring platform and everyone loaded the Jumper.
As soon as the first group stepped off the ring platform accompanied by Rodney McKay, SG-1 and Sheppard loaded into the Jumper without giving McKay a chance to speak.
The Jumper lifted off with Sheppard at the controls. At first he wasn't as smooth as Jack, but he soon got the hang of it.
Jack laid on one of the benches in the back. Controlling the drones had exhausted him and he needed to rest. Sam kept looking back at him worried and finally Daniel said, "Why don't you go back there and see how he's doing? I know you would feel better, if you did."
Sam got up from her seat and crossed to the rear of the Jumper. Grace still slept soundly in her box and she knelt by Jack, "Hey, are you hungry or do you want some water?"
He opened his eyes and touched her cheek, "Amourieta."
Covering his hand with hers, "I know Jack, I love you too." Leaning forward she kissed him gently knowing this was not the place to display too much affection.
They stayed like that for a few minutes before; Jack looked over at the displays in front of Sheppard. Getting to his feet he grabbed a Zat and began to tinker with the engine, he had finished modifying only a few hours ago.
In a matter of minutes Sheppard called out, "Ah, the speed just doubled and I didn't touch anything. I swear."
Sam, not wanting Sheppard to panic said, "It was Jack. He did something to the engines. Don't worry, everything will be fine. He knows what he is doing." She looked at Jack, who just shrugged.
Getting to her feet she was going to leave him to rest but he caught her hand, pulling her down to sit next to him. Quickly he got comfortable with his head resting in her lap. He stayed like that for a while, drifting off to sleep.
Later when Sam looked down he slept peaceful which was the opposite to the turmoil inside her. She was getting worried, his English was getting sparser, and that meant that time was running out.
Earlier he would only slip into Ancient when he was dealing with the devices but now Ancient was the dominate language. How much time did they have before it was too late? She leaned her head back against the wall of the jumper and sighed. Was this what she really wanted for her children?
Daniel, who had taken her seat when she moved turned to her and asked, "You all right?"
"Yes and no, I don't know. I'm wondering if I should have come and brought Grace. I have a feeling that I should have stayed at home, like something is going to happen because I'm here. I think I may have put Grace in danger somehow."
Daniel studied Sam wondering what to say, his own mother had put her career in front of him and he had lost both of his parents as result of her choices.
Sam had not been given a chance to make these choices before the arrival of Grace and now that she was settling into her role as a mother she had some hard decisions to make.
Getting up, he crossing the cockpit and sat next to her. "You did what you thought was best at the time but you need to look at your life and decide what you want. These last few months have been a lot for you and Jack to take in. Once this is over think things over and see what you want. No one will blame you if you want to be a mother, Sam."
Standing, he squeezed her shoulder leaving her alone with her thoughts. Sam watched him go wondering when Daniel became so smart.
Hours passed and Jack slept. Sam had to move him to feed Grace once, but he still slept on.
Sheppard turned to Daniel and they spoke for a moment before Daniel stood and came to the back to speak with her again. "Sheppard says we are nearing the coordinates. You might want to wake up Jack in case there is trouble."
Bending over, she shook him until he came awake. He jerked awake and smiled when she was there. "Grace," was all he said.
Sam retrieved the baby from her box, passing her to Jack. He held her for a moment and before passing her back to Sam. Standing he relieved Sheppard at the controls and then he opened a channel and motioned for Daniel to speak.
"This is Daniel Jackson of Earth looking for any Asgard who can hear my voice. We are looking for assistance for Colonel Jack O'Neill. Any Asgard vessel please respond."
They all waited in the tense silence. Sam stood at the back of the main cabin wondering if they had gambled and lost. She was about to voice this opinion when someone responded to Daniel's transmission. "This is Supreme Commander Thor and I will beam your vessel on to my ship. I am in the middle of some delicate calculations. Please stand by."
Shepard's voice was a little concerned. "What does he mean beam? I thought the rings were all you guys had? Does he mean like in Star Trek?" Looking around, Shepard searched for someone who would answer him.
Teal'c only arched his brow. Sam wasn't even paying attention, she was staring at Jack. Daniel studied Sheppard amazed at how well the man was taking all this. He was about to explain that is was similar to how they explained the transporter technology in Star Trek, but not quite the same, when the odd sound that accompanied the Asgard beam sounded. The entire puddle jumper vanished and reappeared on Thor ship.
Sheppard rubbed his arms, "I guess it is. Do these guys have photon torpedoes too?"
Laughing, Daniel said, "No, they don't. Let's get Jack to Thor and see what he can do. Oh and Sheppard don't stare at Thor. He doesn't like it."
They lowered the hatch and found the small alien waiting for them. "Greetings." He nodded to each of them in turn. At Sheppard he said, "I do not know you. I am Thor."
Sheppard looked to SG-1 for approval and the he took Thor's outstretched hand, "I'm Major John Sheppard. I'm just along for the ride."
Thor nodded to him once more but then was distracted by Grace who had just made a sound. Coming closer he studied the child. "We have not procreated in thousands of years. This child is a marvel. This is Grace?"
Smiling Sam, said, "Yes this is Grace O'Neill. Can we worry about Jack right now? If you want you may look at her later." Sam's voice was harsh but her smile softened her words.
Thor stood up straight, motioning for them to follow him. "I am in the process of collapsing Halla's sun into a black hole. It is the Council's hope that this will destroy all the Replicators that we have trapped within the time dilation field. We knew that the field was not a long term solution and this was the only solution we could come up with."
They all followed him on the bridge. "You have got here just in time. Major Carter will you assist me?" He motioned to a panel.
"Yes, Thor of course but what about Jack? He needs to have the Ancient knowledge removed again."
Sam said, not being able to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
"I will get to it. I must finish this first. O'Neill if you will climb into this status pod it will keep you alive until I can complete this task. It is important that I monitor these readings. O'Neill will be perfectly safe."
Sam looked at Jack, worry etched all over her face. She wanted him back now, but Thor was right. Some things were more important than Jack no matter what her heart told her.
In two steps he was in front of her, arms outstretched to take Grace holding her close for a moment, he brushed his finger along her cheek. Then he spoke in Ancient, turning to Daniel, Jack handed him the baby.
Daniel swallowed, trying to control the emotion, before telling them the translation. "He said, 'Grow strong and know that you are loved.'
Next, Jack grabbed Sam's face between his hands. "Sam." It was all he needed to say, his emotions were there in that one word.
She smiled although there were tears in her eyes, "Yes Jack, I know. Come back to us. We'll be waiting."
Jack leaned in and everyone turned away except Thor who was studying the two of them intently as they kissed. After a few moment, Daniel turned the small alien to give his two friends a few moments of privacy.
Breaking the kiss Jack rested his forehead against hers, he pulled her close. Tucking her head against his neck once more before letting her go and lying down in the status pod. It shut with a sound of finality.
The last thing he saw was Sam standing there with Grace in her arms, tears running down his cheeks. His last thought was that he loved them and hope to see them again.
I know you all probably hate me right now but I do have the rest of the story. I will post on Wednesday.
By the way I have not seen a lot of Atlantis but I needed someone else to drive. Let me know how I did with Shepard, if you feel like it. Reviews are love. ~Kelleth~