"C'mon in, Danny. Shut the door and have a seat."

"Jack, you have a really annoying sense of timing," he grumbles, settling in between Sam and Teal'c on the couch. Janet, Mac and Fred Begay of SG-9 are also present, which is puzzling. "We're right in the middle of a major translation project. What's so important it couldn't wait until later, and why couldn't Becky come with me?"

"Because I don't want her to know," as intent and serious as he's ever been. "The following is classified, folks. It's not leaving this room. Don't repeat it anywhere else on the base or in the settlement, and especially not in Becky's hearing. Understood?" Everyone nods agreement.

Daniel crosses his arms over his chest. "Spit it out, Jack."

"I'm gettin' to it. So." He picks up a communique from his desk. "This came in from Colonel Ellis at Gamma Base an hour ago. Lieutenant Albert Norris has gone AWOL."

A chill runs down Daniel's back. Sam worries at her lower lip. Mac groans and passes a hand over his face. Begay and Janet both frown.

"I do not understand, O'Neill," Teal'c remarks, a slight downward pull of his mouth the only sign of his concern. "Was he not to remain there in permanent exile, as punishment for his conduct against Becky Grahme and other civilians?"

Jack nods. "Yeah, as per Hammond's original orders. He's been under close watch and every request he's made for promotion or transfer off base has been denied, and I saw no reason to change that. But apparently he figured out how to smuggle himself offworld during one of the regular trading missions to a nearby market world for supplemental supplies. To make matters worse, classified materials went missing from Ellis' office around the same time."

Daniel sighs, lifting his glasses to pinch at the bridge of his nose. No telling how much damage can be done to offworld operations with that kind of intel. "How long ago did it happen?"

"Ellis reckons about a day, maybe a day and a half. He wasn't in his quarters when they did the customary nighttime check, and didn't show up either for morning roll call. They'd already conducted a thorough search of the base and at least 160 kilometers all around the site before calling it in."

"Odds are he'll be trying to make contact with either the Lucian Alliance or one of the surviving System Lords," Sam remarks, "offering them information in exchange for sanctuary in their domains. Any one of them could use him to seek advantage over us."

"As if we don't have enough on our plate already, Carter. Just peachy, folks- a trained Marine officer's loose in the galaxy with classified information and we have no freaking clue where he is or what he's planning."

Mac's expression is grim. "And to top it all off the guy's got nothing to lose. Which makes him even more unpredictable and dangerous."

"He had issues with Becky even before New Year's Eve," Daniel notes, trying to tamp down his own rising panic. "He sees her as the architect of his humiliation, especially since she suggested his exile in the first place. She'll be his primary target, with the SGC by extension a close second."

Jack nods, glumly. "That's what I'm most worried about. He doesn't have any friends or acquaintances here so I'm not worried about Becky's security on base or in the settlement. For that reason I'm inclined to order her grounded for the duration."

"Which may not work in and of itself," Mac warns. "You know how sensitive and curious she is, especially if you hold her back from offworld missions without a reasonable explanation. She's only gonna start digging."

"Hmm, good point. How about a medical excuse, Janet?"

She shakes her head. "Absolutely not. Becky passed her last physical with flying colors. It'd go against the Hippocratic Oath for me to falsify a medical condition just for your peace of mind."

"We could send her and Daniel back to Atlantis, sir," Sam suggests. "She'd be safer in the Pegasus Galaxy than here until we can find Norris."

"I wouldn't call that wacko place safe, Carter, not with those creepy life-sucking vampires out there. Besides, splitting your team's not an option right now. I had to postpone or reassign a lot of missions already for you, ever since Huy-Braesealis got her into that fugue state. You guys have way too much of a backlog to do this long term. I don't like letting her offworld with Norris on the loose but we'll just have to have extra vigilance for her sake."

"Which would make her all the more suspicious if it's obvious," Daniel points out.

Begay rubs his chin thoughtfully. A gentle giant of a man with classic Navajo features, his father one of the legendary Code Talkers of WWII. Also a brilliant diplomat and negotiator in his own right with a clear "win-win" philosophy, which is why Hammond had chosen him to lead SG-9 after Benton and most of the original team was killed on Lantona. "General, speaking for myself and Colonel Edwards, Dr. Grahme has always been a welcome addition to our teams when she's not otherwise accompanying Dr. Jackson. We know how to watch out for her during a mission without looking like we're hovering."

"Good to hear, Major. That's a load off my mind. Okay campers, we've got a twofold operation here- figure out what Norris is up to and bring him to justice without mentioning any of this to Becky. Are we all on the same page?"

Mac, Janet, Sam, Teal'c and Begay nod firm agreement.

Daniel squirms in his seat. He has serious misgivings about lying to his beloved. They've always been honest with each other.

But at the same time he's just as concerned for her well-being as they are. Norris is out for revenge, and he'll take down the SGC and New Earth itself to get to her if he has to.

Jack lifts an eyebrow in his direction. "Daniel?"

He sighs, hoping they're not making a huge mistake. "Sure, Jack."

"Great. See you guys later."

He lingers behind after the rest of the impromptu conspiracy leaves. Before he can open his mouth Jack holds up a finger. "Look, I know what you're gonna say. I'm not happy about it either but Becky's got a lot on her plate and I don't want her losing sleep over the guy. So do me a favor and keep this one close to your vest for a change, okay?"

"Okay. But you know she's perceptive enough to realize when someone's lying to her. If she finds out we're going behind her back she may never forgive us."

"Yeah, I do. That's a risk we'll just have to take." Jack sighs and leans forward in his chair, rubbing the heels of his hands against his forehead. "Damn, I really hate this job sometimes. If it were anyone else she'd be fully in the know but Mac thinks keeping her in the dark right now has gotta be better than watching her gradually go off the deep end, and I agree."

"This was Mac's idea?"

He nods. "Yeah. Been there himself a few times back in the day, and when Murdoc kidnapped Becky he almost lost it anyway. Hell, so did I once I heard about it." There's a tightness to his jaw, holding in memories better left unspoken.

Sometimes Daniel wishes Nick had been as solicitous and protective towards him when he needed it most, as Jack and Mac are of their niece even when she doesn't. He wonders if his grandfather ever found what he'd been looking for, out among the giant aliens.

He rubs the back of his neck and sighs. "Okay, I'll do my best. Under protest, though."

"Understood. I'm not comfortable lying to her either, believe me. Reminds me too much of the whole rogue NID thing. Always hated having to do that to you guys, even if I was under orders."

"I hated the fact you were ordered to do it too." He fixes Jack with a stern look. "So when the time comes to explain this to Becky we won't be drawing straws. It's all on you and Mac."

"I hear ya, Danny. Get outta here, or she'll be wondering what's keeping ya."

Later that night Daniel watches Becky as she prepares for bed after their shower, drying and brushing her hair and pulling on one of his faded university t-shirts. Though several sizes too big on her he has to admit wearing his shirts makes her even more irresistible in his eyes. The sight of the button-up she wore after the Memorial in the closet still brings a smile to his face.

When he returned to the lab after the meeting she wanted to know why he'd been called away. He mumbled something about a quick briefing for a future mission and an argument with Jack, both of which she accepted at face value but left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

He's gone behind her back twice already, and after the last time swore never to do so again. He hates lying to her.

Yet now he has no choice.

Damn Jack for putting him in this position. Damn Norris, too.

"Daniel?"

"Hmm?"

"Is something wrong? You've been in a weird mood ever since you got back from that meeting earlier."

Oh, this is going to be so much harder than he thought. She's pretty perceptive.

He quickly replaces his troubled expression with a gentle, reassuring smile. "It's nothing, just Jack being Jack. You know how ridiculous he gets sometimes."

A wry smile. "Yeah, I do. But seriously, if there's a problem you'd tell me, right? I mean, we did agree that no matter what happens we'll face it together."

"Of course. There's nothing going on, I promise."

She shoots him a skeptical look. "You sure?"

"I'm sure." He climbs into bed, slipping an arm around her and breathing in her scent. Fresh from the shower, a pleasing hint of the local version of lavender. Soap and shampoo are two of Chemistry and Botany's most popular jointly-produced products.

She snuggles close to rest her head against his shoulder, uttering a contented sigh. "This is nice. I'm glad we're together."

"So am I." They share a long, sweet kiss which in due course leads to much more.

He wants nothing more than to stand between Becky and the dangers of the universe forever, even as he's fully aware she can take care of herself. They haven't set a date for the wedding since returning from Atlantis but he's not worried. It'll happen sooner or later.

He's looking forward to it.

Afterwards they lie entwined, sleepily trading caresses and endearments in many languages. Savoring each other's presence in the midst of a languor so warm and complete it makes him forget about Norris.

For a time, anyway.

Over the next six months a relative level of peace and quiet reigns in the galaxy. Which should've alerted them- as a rueful Jack would admit later- that the proverbial other shoe was about to drop.

And it does, beginning with little things:

A minor trading partner backs out of a deal without explanation.

Tribal or government representatives refuse even the most casual meetings.

Informants on neutral worlds make excuses or disappear altogether.

And other such inconveniences, unrelated at first glance yet in hindsight clearly designed to hinder their offworld operations, not to mention their nascent trading network and commonwealth.

Then without warning it escalates.

Gate teams return worn down and wounded, citing surprise ambushes by Jaffa offworld.

The Prometheus and Daedalus (when not commuting between New Earth and Atlantis) limp into the Alpha Base shipyards, reeling from space battles in sectors where no action had been expected.

More often than not Jack's seen storming around on base in full dress blues after attending funeral services for personnel in the settlement's cemetery. Daniel's learned the hard way to give him plenty of space when his jaw clenches and left eyelid starts twitching.

All of which add up to one inescapable conclusion, as confirmed by the Tok'ra via Jacob and Selmak. After being in the wind for months Norris has resurfaced in Goa'uld territory and found a willing ally, who now knows more than they're comfortable with.

In private Jack strips him of his rank, declaring him a traitor and condemning him to death in absentia. A harsh sentence but Daniel's not about to challenge his friend's right as General-Governor to make a summary judgement either.

There's no question that Norris is a threat to New Earth in general and Becky in particular. He must be found and dealt with, one way or another.

After that Daniel can stop the deception once and for all. If she ever finds out he's going behind her back again it could do irrevocable harm to their relationship. He feels guilty for hoping she never does.

But he can't lose the mirror of his soul. Not now, not ever. He just can't.

As a social scientist Becky's trained to make observations, develop and analyze hypotheses, and construct theories fitting the information available. So it doesn't take long to consider everything that's been going on lately and come to a terrifying conclusion.

There's a mole inside the SGC.

Unfortunately it's all mere speculation at this point, with no concrete evidence to back it up. Not much use in bringing her suspicions to Jack's attention based on nothing more than a gut feeling no matter how reliable. Best to keep quiet for now.

Yet for months she's been picking up on some very odd vibes coming from not only Jack but Mac, Sam, even Janet. Daniel in particular can't dissemble well enough to fool her no matter how hard he tries. They're all hiding something.

As Domina of Huy-Braesealis, council member and Daniel's assistant she's as deep into the business of the NEDF and the SGC as anyone. Even Jack's sought her advice on more than one occasion, and not merely on dessert choices for the refectory either.

It's weird but she simply cannot shake the notion that she's being kept out of the loop on purpose, for whatever reason. Which is pretty irksome in and of itself.

And she's known how to deal with classified matters since before the Big Quake, for crying out loud. Even as a teenager because of Mac's occupation she'd been granted associate status at the Phoenix Foundation, which meant access to their emergency protocols as well as a wider awareness of covert affairs than her peers.

Becky's good at keeping secrets. Everyone knows that.

She only wishes they'd just tell her already.

After months of setbacks and refusals there's finally a glimmer of hope. The Tarrakan Council of Guilds has invited SG-9 to their capitol for a meeting with representatives from their own extensive trading network. The current Council Head- Master Barranco of the powerful Weavers' Guild- has particularly requested the presence of "the illustrious Lady Rebecca" at the negotiation table, there being no equivalent title in their society for an academic degree.

Of all the worlds Becky's seen so far she enjoys visiting Tarrraka the most. Such a friendly and generous people. She's genuinely looking forward to the mission.

Funny that Daniel isn't.

"I don't know what you're so worried about," she comments while suiting up in the locker room. "I've been there plenty of times before with SG-9. They're staunch allies and honest trading partners, not to mention gracious hosts and good friends. I'm practically an honorary aunt to Barranco's daughter Penarra, for god's sake. It's only an overnight mission besides. I can handle myself."

"I know. I've always had faith in you, Becky. It's just that..." He shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. One of his most adorable traits when embarrassed.

She zips up her backpack, makes sure the zat is securely in its holster. The Tarrakans are trustworthy enough but it never hurts to be prepared nonetheless. "You've been skittish for months, don't think I haven't noticed. Is there top-secret stuff going on that I don't know about? I mean, you'd tell me if something's making you lose confidence in me, right?"

"No!" A shifty look on his face comes and goes so quickly she wonders if she only imagined it. "Um, I mean yes. Of course I would."

She loves it when he gets flustered. It's cute. "Then what's making you so nervous? We've always confided in one another." She comes closer, reaching up to lovingly trace a finger over his sensual lips. "C'mon, tell me. I won't laugh, promise."

"I know it's ridiculous, but..." He sighs, ducking his head. "Ever since this morning I've had a strong gut feeling that something bad might happen to you today while you're offworld."

"So that explains why you were so ardent with your wake-up call. Much more pleasant than the alarm clock, I have to say." She winks and he flushes. "Seriously, I get it. Remember the first time you guys went to Kelowna? I was so certain I was about to lose you and absolutely no one could convince me otherwise, not even Hammond or Janet. It was like I was holding my breath the entire time you were gone, and it wasn't until I saw you emerge unharmed through the event horizon that I could breathe again."

"And then you took mine away when you kissed me, in front of the Gate with everyone watching," he admits with a fond smile. "Jack was collecting favs around the base for a long while afterwards."

"You mean he'd opened a pool about us kissing in the Gateroom? And cleaned up to boot?"

"Pretty much."

She rolls her eyes. "Why am I not surprised? At least he's never had a problem with our relationship."

"As if his disapproval would ever have stopped us." His smile is warmer now, bending to capture her lips. "Colibra mea."

"Corbul meu." She rests her head against his chest, reveling in their closeness, how they just seem to fit together perfectly despite the height difference. "You know, I did hear Jack's having Walter set up a betting pool as to when we'll have the ceremony."

He groans. "Oh, god. You think they'd notice if we eloped back to Atlantis?"

"Probably. And most likely show up on the Daedalus three weeks later for the reception."

Her radio chirps. "Dr. Grahme? Begay here. We're ready when you are."

"Copy that, Major. On my way." She looks up at Daniel. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be fine. When I get back we'll choose a date and ask Perkins if he wants to be our proxy for the pool. We'll clean up and split the take three ways."

"Beating Jack at his own game." His lips curl up in a sly smile. "I like it. You're getting to be pretty sneaky these days."

"I learned from the best," she quips, meeting him halfway for one more kiss then shouldering her backpack. "Now come see me off, I got a wormhole to catch."

Tarraka as a whole has a very cosmopolitan attitude for what used to be part of a Goa'uld domain. Ever since the demise of Anubis contact with New Earth and other cultures through the Gate has helped it become a major influence in the Milky Way, the quality of its textiles among the finest in the entire galaxy.

Negotiations are held in the capitol city of Neutorral, in a government building which displays the planet's prosperity and pride with ornate carvings and huge tapestries on the walls, inlaid marble floors and high scalloped arches, long arcades leading to gardens with serene pools of water and courtyards with tinkling fountains.

Begay- a canny negotiator and shrewd judge of character- does all the talking as a matter of course, assisted by Becky along with sociologist Dr. Diana Goodwin, Captain Laurence Holt and Lieutenant Carl Grogan, the sole surviving member of the original SG-9 after the disaster at Lantona.

Guildmaster Barranco is a man of medium height and build with dusky skin, straight glossy dark hair and wide-set gray eyes. He's normally Begay's match in this area with a reputation for openness, competence and honesty.

But not today, it seems. There's a furtiveness to his gaze that Becky's never seen before, uncertainty in his movements. Not to mention he's constantly fidgeting with a small necklace of blue beads in his hands, which his daughter wore the last time she was a guest in their home. All very worrisome.

Begay leans over to whisper in her ear. "Something's going on with him. We're due for the midday meal and siesta, so if he invites you to his place could you get him to confide in you?"

"Yes, sir. To be honest I'd like to find out myself. I've never seen him this nervous before."

As it happens he approaches her himself when the morning session's over. "Lady Rebecca, I apologize for my behavior today. I have been rather...unwell...of late."

"My sorrow to hear that, Master Barranco. I hope you feel better soon. Nothing wrong at home, I trust."

"No, no, nothing like that." He fiddles with the necklace some more, catches her noticing and tucks it out of sight with a noticeable flush on his cheeks. "Would you like to join me and my daughter for the midday meal at my residence? Since your last visit Penarra has talked of nothing more than becoming a negotiator and scholar like yourself one day."

"I'd be delighted. Let me clear it first with Major Begay."

It's bad manners among his people to mention names of other family members in public conversation. She's getting all sort of awkward vibes off him now. There's definitely something wrong.

Time to get to the bottom of this.

The Guildmaster's residence is not nearly as elaborate or imposing as the government building yet pretty impressive nonetheless with its carved stone and high arched windows, the chambers and gardens within reflecting a warm family atmosphere.

Strangely quiet though, as neither the housekeeper nor Penarra are waiting at the portico entrance to greet them as is the custom. The surrounding area is also conspicuous with the distinct lack of traffic.

Becky frowns, a shiver running down her spine. All of a sudden this smells like a setup. Guess she shouldn't have declined Begay's suggestion that Grogan accompany her for extra protection after all.

She turns to her host. "Master Barranco, what's the meaning of this? Where's Penarra?"

He only swallows and tugs at the standing collar of his tunic, sweat beading on his forehead. His ornate robes of office drag in the dust but he doesn't even seem to care. The bodyguards hired by the Weavers' Guild hang back as well with uneasy expressions. Another sign of trouble.

She reaches for her radio. Time to call for backup, three clicks in swift succession answered with two from the other members of the team as acknowledgement of impending trouble.

The heavy carved door opens and Jaffa warriors spill onto the empty street and surround her, brandishing staff weapons. "Tau'ri, kree shak!"

So many to capture the likes of her? She supposes she ought to be flattered, in an obscure way.

Just peachy. This is what she gets for blindly trusting in a friend's goodwill.

The Jaffa in charge points to her. "Chel nok!"

The rest advance and without conscious thought she retaliates, blocking and striking with hands and feet, using every trick Jack and the others have drilled into her until some reactions are practically instinctive.

At one point she manages to snatch a staff weapon from a guard and- grateful for extra instruction from Teal'c- inflict as much damage as she can. Finally one Jaffa wrenches it away from her grasp while another knocks the wind out of her, forcing her to the ground.

From the sidelines Barranco wrings his hands. "Lady Rebecca, my profoundest sorrow for this deception but I had no choice. They have taken my Penarra, my little girl. She is all I have." The despair in the poor guy's eyes is so pitiful she can't bring himself to hate him for his treachery. "I will make it up to you, I promise."

"Start with them," she gasps, jerking her chin in the direction of Begay and the rest of the team arriving on the scene. Peaceful negotiators changing to battle-hardened warriors in seconds flat, P90s drawn and aimed. "Tell them everything you know. I'll try to find your daughter and get her back to you if I can. You have my word."

"I will. The Divine bless you, Lady."

The Jaffa in charge barks commands into a communicator. Horizontal rings drop down, capturing Becky flanked by guards in the center. In the blink of an eye her surroundings have changed to the typical angular gold interior of an Al'kesh.

More Jaffa advance on her, confiscating zat, radio and tac vest. A priest flourishes some kind of injection device and jabs it against her neck.

All she knows after that is darkness.

Notes:

AWOL= Absent With Out Leave

Brief reference to S05 E20, "The Sentinel" and Family Resemblance Part II in my Domestic Adventures 'verse.

As always, see A Linguist's Guide to New Earth on AO3 for translations.

For more about the remarkable Navajo Code Talkers who served in WWII, consult Wikipedia or your preferred search engine.