I do not own anything. If you recognize it, it is not mine.
Thank you for your reviews, sometimes I still don't know what exactly you mean. I don't think I took many liberties with the episode Singularity, I watched the crucial moments a few times and quite closely to make sure not to.
As always, I love hearing from you.
Thank you 'Guest' for feedback, I understand it might not have been clear since Daniel is at the moment on Earth.
The following chapter is a flashback, detailing what Daniel went through during Singularity. I've always loved how he supported Sam. Also some things from this chapter will be alluded to in future chapters.
Enjoy. Take care.
"Just tell me the bottom line, sergeant." It was obvious that Jack's patience was thinning by the second. I tried to hold in the laugh, but was only partially successful. The sudden relief washing over me, all that pressure was seeping away. Only moments ago I felt like I was suffocating.
"This is an abandoned nuclear facility, sir. We don't have any provisions or anything." The sergeant, who was almost as tall as Teal'c, explained with fear in his eyes that they won't be able to follow the order.
"Right." Jack thought for a moment and then said to contact the SGC immediately and get everything he asked for from there. "You might want to go with them." He nodded towards Teal'c and me.
"We'll stay, Jack." I said swiftly, while shaking his head profusely thinking about how many times in the last half an hour Jack had tried to get rid of us.
"But if you go you could, oh-I don't know, maybe bring more things for Cassandra than the bare essentials soldiers will get."
"Oh." My voice got hesitant then. Maybe that would be a good idea. Who knows how long Cassie would have to stay underground before they were sure it was safe for her to get to the surface. But still, Sam might need help.
"We will procure what we can." Teal'c said, agreeing instead of waiting for my reply.
"Within reason, Teal'c. I mean, leave the sink in its place."
"Why would we take the sink, O'Neill?"
"Nevermind." Jack said simply, anxious to see us leave or I don't know. Maybe just anxious in general, it is common setting for him, even if he doesn't show emotions much. That man couldn't sit still if his life depended on it.
"Jack, maybe I should stay, get down there to help Sam." I offered, my mind projecting the memory of Sam hugging comatose Cassie right next to me in the military transport.
"It's not necessary."
"But Jack…!" Somehow that came out way more loud and forceful than I intended.
"I'm going." Jack's piercing gaze was terrifying. He rarely used it on his coworkers. Enemies, sure. Bureaucrats, of course. But not on his friends, so I stopped challenging him immediately.
"Alright, just…" I glanced at the soldiers present, not knowing how to handle this. The military still confused me often. "Jack, she's…"
"Daniel, go." Jack narrowed his eyes and his features still, but the tone of his voice got gentler.
Comforted a bit, I turned to leave with Teal'c who was already at the end of the corridor, waiting for me. The journey felt longer than before, even though I knew that was impossible. Last time, I had the feeling it took us only few minutes. Of course then I was preoccupied by looking at the little girl in Sam's arms, wondering if there was any other way. My heart was beating in my chest like I tried to keep up with Teal'c during work-out. And it was breaking, too. Mainly for Sam. Yes, I was sad about what was happening but it must have been hell for Sam. She and Cassie became inseparable and we were driving her away to just drop her into a silo where she would explode.
And Jack was also affected by the unfolding tragedy, even if he wouldn't admit it. Yes, he was skilled at hiding his emotions until they were ready to burst out, but if one watched carefully, there were certain signs to look for. The whole way to the nuclear facility he sat leaned forward, not looking at anyone, just fiddling with his fingerless gloves. He must have been a wonderful parent, Charlie was probably close to Cassandra's age when… Jesus, he hadn't thought about that!
Hopefully he wouldn't say anything stupid to Sam when he joined her and Cassie. No, he wouldn't go ballistic in front of a child. And maybe if I talked to him before he got chance to speak to Sam alone, it'd be alright. I should have done that anyway when Sam had talked about how she was supposed to be detached. That was very ineffective and unhealthy approach.
That had been some tense moments back there. Jack's stare went all cold when he was ordering Carter to return to surface, his face blank like a mask. There was a slight tremor shaking his hands when he pressed the comms button to speak to Sam and he even called her that in effort to get her to fall in line.
If I was being honest, I was still recovering mentally from what had happened. Had it not being for Sam - and Cassie, of course - needing me, I would have probably been somewhere hiding in the corner.
It was the most courageous thing I had ever seen, even if there was a little voice inside my head telling me I could have been planning her funeral right about now. I admired Sam all the more, how she managed to be a kickass soldier, but also show how considerate and kind she was, especially after the episode with Hathor made her feel so left out, yearning for approval.
And she was a great hero in that story, if they had less or none women on the base, Hathor would have ruled Earth and flooded the galaxy with hundreds new Goa'uld larvae. The Shavadai incident wasn't so long ago either. Damn it, how come she was not able to catch a break like ever?
She was probably going to be punished for refusing to leave Cassie. Although…? When she in all but words apologized for the insubordination, Jack asked her how it was that she knew, showing her the best way for her to get away with it. Nudging her like that could have meant he wasn't as angry as I suspected. Oh, I just wished I calmed enough for my thoughts to stop being so jumbled. Maybe I should try kelno'reeming with Teal'c after Sam and Cassie are somewhere safe.