Last piece folks g
Chapter 8
Daniel awoke alone feeling rested and hungry. His body still ached abominably, and his chest was tight, but he could live with that. He had, after all, slept without dreaming for the first time in a long while. Sliding quickly off the bed Daniel headed out into the corridor, looking both ways he made his decision and turned right. Coming to a transverse corridor he headed right again, drawn this time by the glyphs upon the decorated wall. Slowing almost to a stop, his eyes raced across the columns of writing, catching an odd word here and there. His hand reached out to touch the wall, tracing the line of almost familiar script.
Vicky's voice startled him from his absorbed perusal of the writings, her approach having been almost silent.
"It's the history of Chak and his family when they were here, on Earth. My ancestors venerated the quadripartite. Still do." Seeing his questioning gaze on her, Vicky continued. "You've been asleep for nearly a day. I've had a bit of time to explore and this wall just…well, called to me I suppose. It took me a while to get the grammar, but it's a fascinating story."
"You translated this while I was asleep?" Daniel couldn't keep the amazement out of his voice. There were few linguists at the SGC who could have even made a dent on this depiction, let alone have translated the whole piece in such a short space of time.
"I was always good at written languages," Vicky replied casually, making light of her outstanding talent. A talent, Daniel realised, that was wasted on part time translating and the odd trek into the Belize jungle.
"You look famished. Chak has food prepared if you want? No coffee I'm afraid," she grinned suddenly obviously remembering his addiction to caffeine, "but there is wine or juice, though I have no idea what it comes from. It's nice though."
Her smile was infectious and he found himself grinning back, surprised and delighted that the strange mood she had been in the night before was gone. Perhaps the fact that she had had time to freshen up while he slept had something to do with it. Although her clothes were crumpled and stained, she had obviously bathed and washed her hair, a gentle clean smell emanated from her. Unconsciously Daniel's hand moved to caress his chin, feeling the stubble rasp against his fingers and there was a not so subtle smell when he raised his arm. What he would give for a hot shower right now.
Like the rest of the ship, the room Vicky led him to was almost bare of decoration, just the functionary table and chairs and the repast laid out for them.
There was no sign of their host as they ate from the provisions laid out for them. Daniel, used to trying all types of food from diverse planets tried everything, and found nearly all of it to his liking. Vicky, following his lead ate heartily.
"So, Vicky, you must have questions, things that you want to know? I'll answer what I can and then I think there is something I need to ask you."
"There's nothing I need to know," she answered quietly, her mood turned solemn once more.
Frustrated Daniel commented, "An historian, archaeologist, linguist with no curiosity? - which is curious in and of itself. Nothing at all? I know you saw something of my dreams, there must be questions you need to ask. Don't you even want to know who the big guy with the gold emblem stuck in his forehead is? Believe me, the first time I saw Teal'c I was seething with questions."
Seeing the hesitation in her eyes he pressed his advantage. "He is a member of the team I told you about."
"A researcher," Vicky said diffidently. "I don't think so. Jaffa right? Slave to the Goa'uld Chak showed me."
"Teal'c is no slave. He turned against his false god and joined SG1. I think you'd like him. He doesn't say much but... well he's a very good friend. Vicky, I don't mind answering any questions you may want to ask. I shouldn't of course, it's all highly classified, but you've seen so much that a bit more can't get me into worse trouble. Besides, I have a proposal for you that might get us both out of hot water."
There was a glint in her eyes that he recognised from fellow archaeologists. A gleam that he hadn't seen in his own eyes for quite a while. "I felt your frustration at the loss of a library? The image wasn't clear, none of them were, but the lights - were they elements? And the writings on the walls, I've never seen anything like them, have you translated any of it yet? And who was the old man?"
Realising he had opened a floodgate Daniel leaned back in his chair and lost himself in answering her questions. Letting a contented happiness ease its way through him, lightening his mind and soul as he gave himself over to his passion for language and history and enjoying the sight of the animated face and sparkling intelligence that sat opposite him.
Hours later Chak's voice startled his two guests so deep in conversation had they been. "It is time for you to return."
"But there is so much I need to know before I leave!" Daniel was up and heading toward the Furling. "The library that we couldn't save, you said we could talk about that. Just let me have one question, please!"
The Furling tipped his head slightly, and amused look in his eyes. "Can a human limit himself to just one question? Can you Daniel Jackson?"
"If I have to… Do I have to?"
"I am afraid so. You are not my only concern and I have stayed here longer than I should. I must return you to the planet and move on. Make your question a good one."
Daniel's mind was racing, there was so much he wanted to know so much this alien, one of the four, could tell him. What to ask, what would gain him the most knowledge?
"I know you said only one, but this could be considered a two-parter, depending on the first answer."
Chak's amusement deepened, and he nodded.
"The library, you said that you couldn't salvage all of the knowledge. Does that mean that there is another library somewhere that houses what you could save? And if so could we possibly access it?"
"Curious, curious race. And persistent too. Yes Daniel Jackson, there is another library of knowledge but it is not for the younger races, not yet."
"The whole too young thing again I suppose." Daniel's voice was tinged with his bitter frustration. "We are out in the universe now Chak. With the knowledge held in your library we could avoid making more mistakes."
"I am sorry. If all of your people had your strength of purpose Daniel Jackson, then I would be less reluctant to share the wealth of our knowledge. There are truths within the library that could cause great harm if used wrongly. Can you guarantee it would not be used so?" He paused and watched Daniel's expressive face grimace. "No, I thought not. But do not be disheartened, there are those who act as guardians to this knowledge, those who you have encountered before. I am sure you will encounter them again."
"Who?"
"No more questions. Come, it is time to leave."
"Ah, just one more question, actually it's more a request. Um, is it going to be such a rough ride back down again?" Daniel's body vividly recalled the terrible side effects of their trip to Chak's ship.
"I am sorry. At that time I thought you were Goa'uld. It will be painless, I assure you."
***
"Colonel?"
Jack drew his gaze back from his contemplation of the jungle all around him. He was frustrated, and anxious. They had spent the last two days quartering the area, hoping against hope that Daniel or his companion had perhaps been hurt by the explosion but had managed to crawl away from the devastation to look for help. There had been nothing for miles in every direction. At night they had slept under the nearest tree, waiting out the darkness, ready to start afresh the moment the sun came up. The track leading up from the site had ended in a small stream, and though there had been signs of occupation around the area, there had been no sign of any recent activity. There was little more they could do except pack up and return to the SGC defeated. The most frustrating part was that there had been no sign not one tiny splash of blood, no fragment of bone or cloth to indicate that Daniel had died in the destruction of the temple. Which in Jack's mind, meant outside interference.
"Sir, I have double checked all my findings. Whatever that emission was it no longer exists. Whatever did this," she indicated the battered ruins behind her, "must have destroyed the emitter."
"Right, Carter." His eyes lost themselves in the greenery once more.
"Night's coming up fast, colonel. Should I set up camp?"
Jack was quiet for a moment, contemplating his failure, then, giving himself a mental kick in the pants, he switched back into military mode.
"Set up over there, Carter. Teal'c, check the perimeter again. I know there's nothing up here but humour me. First light tomorrow we pack up and go home."
Teal'c and Sam understood the frustration. Both had used all their individual skills to try and track Daniel's last movements but all they had come up with was a recently destroyed Mayan temple and a broken pair of glasses.
"Do you feel that? Feels like we are in for a storm." The air was full of static as though waiting for the first roll of thunder to crack overhead. Sam looked up suspiciously expecting dark clouds to be scudding over the evening sky.
Teal'c also looked up to the sky, eyes scanning the twilight. "I do not believe that to be so, Major Carter."
"What is it, Teal'c?" O'Neill had picked up on the Jaffa's tone.
A sheet of lightening bolted down from the apparently clear sky, sundering the earth within the temple and almost blinding them with its brilliance. Instinctively they raised their arms to shield their faces from the flash.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?"
As they lowered their arms Daniel and Vicky seemed to walk out of a curtain of lightning toward them.
Three astonished pairs of eyes locked onto Daniel's mildly curious blue ones.
"That's it! Hey guys? Not thanks for coming to rescue me Jack? Thanks for pulling my butt out of the fire yet again! " Jack's voice rang loudly in Daniel's ears.
"And who's your friend?" The weapon in Jack's hands now pointed at Vicky who stood by Daniel's side.
"Ah, Jack, I didn't actually need rescuing, and this is Victoria Ramirez." Daniel kept a straight face even as he struggled to contain his delight and amusement at Jack's predictable reaction.
Teal'c had taken a step forward, attracting Daniel's attention. The jaffa nodded slowly, unperturbed as usual. "Doctor Jackson."
Daniel nodded back, just a solemn, though a slight smile played around his eyes.
"Daniel, you're okay?" Sam put her arms around him, hugging him close.
"I'm fine, Sam," returning her embrace. "Vicky this is Sam Carter, I told you about her." The two women shook hands warily.
"You did what, Daniel? Have you forgotten everything since you went on holiday?" Caution and a warning lanced Jack's words.
"It's okay, Jack. We got caught up in the middle of something here and I had to explain certain things to Vicky. In fact I'm going to ask her to come back to Cheyenne with us."
"What?" Jack and Sam exclaimed in unison. Teal'c raised one eyebrow in Daniel's direction and Vicky stood speechless her eyes blazing. He might have to do some fast-talking later.
Jack grabbed Daniel's arm and dragged him off to one side, away from where Carter, Teal'c had flanked Vicky. "You and I need to have a little talk."
"Jack," Daniel pulled himself out of Jack's grip, his voice low and angry. "Don't do that."
"Just what do you think you are doing?" Jack hissed eyes locked to Daniel's face. "You do not go round telling everyone you meet about the SGC, about us for Christ's sake!"
"Are you going to calm down?" Daniel said levelly.
O'Neill fingered the weapon in his hand, angry with Daniel for still being the stubborn pain in the ass he had been before he left the mountain. "Talk - fast."
Daniel's attention wandered to where Vicky now stood talking animatedly to Sam. He watched mesmerised as the last dying rays of the sun caught the highlights of her hair. He had made his decision, she had to come back with them. Personal feelings aside, and he was ready to admit that perhaps he liked her more than he should, her skills as a linguist would not be lost to the SGC. Now he just had to convince Jack and Vicky that he was right.
A stray thought sent his attention off in another direction entirely. "Why did you come looking for me?"
"Let's see," Jack's tone oozed sarcasm. "There was this strange pulsing emission emanating from the jungles of Belize. That block in Sam's lab was going on and off like a kid playing with the light switch. Doc Fraiser started to get the willies thinking it was some kind of brainwashing device, and, oh yeah, knowing you were out here…need I go on?"
"Oh. Well I guess I did set that off," Daniel murmured, his eyes now on the outlined broken blocks of the once proud temple. "Still, Chak made sure that doesn't happen again."
"Who's Chak?" Jack's patience was beginning to wear thin.
"Hum? Chak was one of the earliest of the Mayan gods. The rain god actually, manifesting in thunder and lightening. Benevolent, thankfully. It was his writing on the walls here; all his other works have been destroyed. Remember the four races Thor told you about?" Daniel hardly waited for Jack's nodded response. "Well Chak is a Furling. Do you know what that means Jack?"
"No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me anyway."
" A precursor to the Goa'uld. Actually judge and jury to the Goa'uld. This," he indicated the devastation around him, "This was a place of judgement."
"And how did you get mixed up in this. Ah, don't tell me, you touched something you shouldn't have, am I right? No, don't answer that Daniel. Just tell me how she comes into it," he indicated Vicky with a nod of his head.
It was almost dark now, and Daniel could barely make out where Sam, Teal'c and Vicky were putting together a campsite. Then flames flickered brightly as the fire was lit, giving him something to focus his attention on.
"Vicky was my guide to the ruins. Her grandfather and Nick explored these hills for years trying to find the ruined temple where they found the crystal skull. At least that is the tale they told to me and to Vicky. I've read their journals, I don't know what they were up to Jack, but finding the temple wasn't it. Anyway, Vicky and I were heading to the search area; we ended up here. You should have seen the carvings on the walls, Jack. I've never seen anything so detailed so complete."
"Yeah, yeah, archaeologist's Disney. What happened!"
Daniel threw Jack a look that could have seared through concrete, the effect lost in the darkness around them.
"Vicky knew the whole pantheon. Knew the histories, the myths. Her knowledge is spectacular, and not just Mayan. We talked for a long time about Egyptian mythology, Indian, Chinese… She's fluent in ten languages."
"So, she's smart." Jack deadpanned, interrupting Daniel's gathering momentum.
"Very. And tough too. Chak's transport system left a lot to be desired. It was obvious we were no longer in an environment found on Earth. Chak may have looked human but he most definitely is not. She took on board the whole alien culture idea, after a little persuasion. Jack, she knows about aliens, she understands the need for secrecy and I don't want to lose her talents. Hammond told me to find a linguist, anthropologist for the SGC, I want Vicky."
Jack eyed his companion, suddenly wary. Daniel, once he got an idea into his head, good or bad, was the very devil to divert.
"Then why wasn't she on your list? What's she doing tramping the jungles instead of teaching somewhere, or digging up dead stuff?"
Daniel's voice lowered confidentially. "She lost her father two years ago and didn't get a chance to finish her doctorate. That doesn't mean she isn't qualified to do the job. She kept calm on Chak's ship. Some of it wasn't …pleasant."
"What happened up there Daniel?" Jack was used to Daniel's vehemence, but he was sure it hadn't just been a 'meet and greet', thanks for visiting and come around again soon.
Daniel shook his head. "Later Jack. I'll tell you later." Suddenly he was bone weary again. A month of nightmares topped off by a couple of days fighting for his sanity had left its mark. Slowly he made his way to the flickering light that beckoned him to its warmth. Vicky's eyes were still angry but he sat himself near her, propped up against a large broken slab, smiling at Sam as she handed him his first cup of coffee for over a week.
Lines creased his brow as tension seeped up his back and into his neck, he was so very tired. As his eyes drifted shut he became aware of the touch of Vicky's fingers on the back of his hand.
"You're going to spill your coffee, Doctor Jackson."
"Daniel," he mumbled, as she pulled the cup from his hands and sleep took him.
***
Epilogue
It was late, everyone had vacated the bar and only Daniel and Vicky remained sitting at a table on the balcony, the wash of the ocean a background to their conversation. The rest of SG1 had retired, giving Daniel time alone with his problem.
All the way back down the mountain Daniel had tried, unsuccessfully, to talk to her about joining the SGC, about making use of her talents in a more positive way. And all the way back through the jungle she had turned off every approach with an adeptness that drove him crazy. Jack's 'I think you need to brush up on your diplomacy skills, Doctor Jackson' had only added to his frustration. Once they had returned to civilisation, Daniel had insisted they stay the night in Belize, he'd had enough of feeling like the jungle was living in his clothing. He wanted to stand for an hour under hot running water, he wanted to top up his energy levels with a huge pot of freshly-ground coffee, but most of all he wanted more time to try and persuade Vicky to stay with them.
She had been a pleasant companion over dinner, and he could see that the others were warming to her beauty and her intelligence, just as he had. Vicky had talked astronomy with Jack, found common ground with Sam and even Teal'c, usually stoic to the nth degree, had unbent enough to recall certain mythologies that he had learned in his childhood. Now they were alone, Vicky's fingers turned her wineglass this way and that, letting the candle on their tiny table glow through the deep red liquid.
"Vicky, why won't you even consider it? It's a fascinating job, it pays well and you could keep the house here and still afford somewhere in the States too."
She stayed quiet, eyes refusing to meet his. Uneasiness entered him as another thought for her refusal took root, one he really didn't want to face.
"Is there someone here that you don't want to leave? Boyfriend," he paused, then, "Husband?"
Vicky's eyes lifted to his as she shook her head. "No," she said softly.
"Then what is it?" His hand reached across the table, fingers stilling hers as they played with the glass stem of her drink.
"Things would get too complicated." Her eyes dropped from his intense gaze.
His fingers tightened on hers, forcing her to look back at him. "Complicated how?"
He watched as she bit her lip, he wasn't used to this holding back from her. And then, as though a decision made, she leaned across the table and kissed him full on the lips before drawing back and moving her hand away from his.
"Complicated," she reiterated.
"Oh." Daniel let his tongue glide over his lips, tasting her there. He stood, moving around the table to stand in front of her. His fingers found her cheek, forcing her face up to meet his as he bent to reciprocate. "I can live with that," he said softly, drawing her up and into his arms.
***
One month later.
Daniel, after donning his military green, hung up his civilian clothes. The letters he had picked up that morning were still shoved in the pocket of his jacket. He had been in such a rush that he had not even read the envelopes. Now, with a few minutes to spare, he turned them over. The top one caught his eye - Vicky. Discarding the envelope on the bench he wandered the room reading her news.
"Hey Daniel, you ready to go?" Jack came in, already dressed and armed.
"In a minute," Daniel's tone was distracted.
Jack moved around the room, noting the pile of letters and one empty envelope. Sitting on the bench he casually turned it over, and saw the postmark.
"Everything okay with Vicky?"
"Fine. She takes her finals in a month's time but she's escorting one last trip into the hills, three weeks with some wealthy tourists who want to try living rough. She says she needs some space before the exams. They left day before yesterday and will be back on the twentieth." As Daniel's eyes drifted down the page, his mouth twitched into a smile.
"Good news?" Jack was bored, and Daniel's letter was a mild distraction. "Why does she write so often anyway, hasn't she heard of the phone?"
"You can't keep a phone call, Jack," Daniel replied, tucking the letter away. "So are you ready to go?"
"Me?" Jack's voice was indignant as he followed Daniel out to the embarkation room.
***
Stepping into the facility, the security escort left their side. In front of them stood a tall, open-faced man who quickly introduced himself.
"This is incredible! It is a pleasure to meet you. I, I'm Jonas Quinn. I'm special advisor to our High Minister."
The end.
Belated author's note.
My thanks to those of you who stuck with this, and apologies for making you wait for the ending. Thanks to Karen for last minute editing skills - ta everso.
All feedback most welcome. Feel free to review g or mail me off line.
Chapter 8
Daniel awoke alone feeling rested and hungry. His body still ached abominably, and his chest was tight, but he could live with that. He had, after all, slept without dreaming for the first time in a long while. Sliding quickly off the bed Daniel headed out into the corridor, looking both ways he made his decision and turned right. Coming to a transverse corridor he headed right again, drawn this time by the glyphs upon the decorated wall. Slowing almost to a stop, his eyes raced across the columns of writing, catching an odd word here and there. His hand reached out to touch the wall, tracing the line of almost familiar script.
Vicky's voice startled him from his absorbed perusal of the writings, her approach having been almost silent.
"It's the history of Chak and his family when they were here, on Earth. My ancestors venerated the quadripartite. Still do." Seeing his questioning gaze on her, Vicky continued. "You've been asleep for nearly a day. I've had a bit of time to explore and this wall just…well, called to me I suppose. It took me a while to get the grammar, but it's a fascinating story."
"You translated this while I was asleep?" Daniel couldn't keep the amazement out of his voice. There were few linguists at the SGC who could have even made a dent on this depiction, let alone have translated the whole piece in such a short space of time.
"I was always good at written languages," Vicky replied casually, making light of her outstanding talent. A talent, Daniel realised, that was wasted on part time translating and the odd trek into the Belize jungle.
"You look famished. Chak has food prepared if you want? No coffee I'm afraid," she grinned suddenly obviously remembering his addiction to caffeine, "but there is wine or juice, though I have no idea what it comes from. It's nice though."
Her smile was infectious and he found himself grinning back, surprised and delighted that the strange mood she had been in the night before was gone. Perhaps the fact that she had had time to freshen up while he slept had something to do with it. Although her clothes were crumpled and stained, she had obviously bathed and washed her hair, a gentle clean smell emanated from her. Unconsciously Daniel's hand moved to caress his chin, feeling the stubble rasp against his fingers and there was a not so subtle smell when he raised his arm. What he would give for a hot shower right now.
Like the rest of the ship, the room Vicky led him to was almost bare of decoration, just the functionary table and chairs and the repast laid out for them.
There was no sign of their host as they ate from the provisions laid out for them. Daniel, used to trying all types of food from diverse planets tried everything, and found nearly all of it to his liking. Vicky, following his lead ate heartily.
"So, Vicky, you must have questions, things that you want to know? I'll answer what I can and then I think there is something I need to ask you."
"There's nothing I need to know," she answered quietly, her mood turned solemn once more.
Frustrated Daniel commented, "An historian, archaeologist, linguist with no curiosity? - which is curious in and of itself. Nothing at all? I know you saw something of my dreams, there must be questions you need to ask. Don't you even want to know who the big guy with the gold emblem stuck in his forehead is? Believe me, the first time I saw Teal'c I was seething with questions."
Seeing the hesitation in her eyes he pressed his advantage. "He is a member of the team I told you about."
"A researcher," Vicky said diffidently. "I don't think so. Jaffa right? Slave to the Goa'uld Chak showed me."
"Teal'c is no slave. He turned against his false god and joined SG1. I think you'd like him. He doesn't say much but... well he's a very good friend. Vicky, I don't mind answering any questions you may want to ask. I shouldn't of course, it's all highly classified, but you've seen so much that a bit more can't get me into worse trouble. Besides, I have a proposal for you that might get us both out of hot water."
There was a glint in her eyes that he recognised from fellow archaeologists. A gleam that he hadn't seen in his own eyes for quite a while. "I felt your frustration at the loss of a library? The image wasn't clear, none of them were, but the lights - were they elements? And the writings on the walls, I've never seen anything like them, have you translated any of it yet? And who was the old man?"
Realising he had opened a floodgate Daniel leaned back in his chair and lost himself in answering her questions. Letting a contented happiness ease its way through him, lightening his mind and soul as he gave himself over to his passion for language and history and enjoying the sight of the animated face and sparkling intelligence that sat opposite him.
Hours later Chak's voice startled his two guests so deep in conversation had they been. "It is time for you to return."
"But there is so much I need to know before I leave!" Daniel was up and heading toward the Furling. "The library that we couldn't save, you said we could talk about that. Just let me have one question, please!"
The Furling tipped his head slightly, and amused look in his eyes. "Can a human limit himself to just one question? Can you Daniel Jackson?"
"If I have to… Do I have to?"
"I am afraid so. You are not my only concern and I have stayed here longer than I should. I must return you to the planet and move on. Make your question a good one."
Daniel's mind was racing, there was so much he wanted to know so much this alien, one of the four, could tell him. What to ask, what would gain him the most knowledge?
"I know you said only one, but this could be considered a two-parter, depending on the first answer."
Chak's amusement deepened, and he nodded.
"The library, you said that you couldn't salvage all of the knowledge. Does that mean that there is another library somewhere that houses what you could save? And if so could we possibly access it?"
"Curious, curious race. And persistent too. Yes Daniel Jackson, there is another library of knowledge but it is not for the younger races, not yet."
"The whole too young thing again I suppose." Daniel's voice was tinged with his bitter frustration. "We are out in the universe now Chak. With the knowledge held in your library we could avoid making more mistakes."
"I am sorry. If all of your people had your strength of purpose Daniel Jackson, then I would be less reluctant to share the wealth of our knowledge. There are truths within the library that could cause great harm if used wrongly. Can you guarantee it would not be used so?" He paused and watched Daniel's expressive face grimace. "No, I thought not. But do not be disheartened, there are those who act as guardians to this knowledge, those who you have encountered before. I am sure you will encounter them again."
"Who?"
"No more questions. Come, it is time to leave."
"Ah, just one more question, actually it's more a request. Um, is it going to be such a rough ride back down again?" Daniel's body vividly recalled the terrible side effects of their trip to Chak's ship.
"I am sorry. At that time I thought you were Goa'uld. It will be painless, I assure you."
***
"Colonel?"
Jack drew his gaze back from his contemplation of the jungle all around him. He was frustrated, and anxious. They had spent the last two days quartering the area, hoping against hope that Daniel or his companion had perhaps been hurt by the explosion but had managed to crawl away from the devastation to look for help. There had been nothing for miles in every direction. At night they had slept under the nearest tree, waiting out the darkness, ready to start afresh the moment the sun came up. The track leading up from the site had ended in a small stream, and though there had been signs of occupation around the area, there had been no sign of any recent activity. There was little more they could do except pack up and return to the SGC defeated. The most frustrating part was that there had been no sign not one tiny splash of blood, no fragment of bone or cloth to indicate that Daniel had died in the destruction of the temple. Which in Jack's mind, meant outside interference.
"Sir, I have double checked all my findings. Whatever that emission was it no longer exists. Whatever did this," she indicated the battered ruins behind her, "must have destroyed the emitter."
"Right, Carter." His eyes lost themselves in the greenery once more.
"Night's coming up fast, colonel. Should I set up camp?"
Jack was quiet for a moment, contemplating his failure, then, giving himself a mental kick in the pants, he switched back into military mode.
"Set up over there, Carter. Teal'c, check the perimeter again. I know there's nothing up here but humour me. First light tomorrow we pack up and go home."
Teal'c and Sam understood the frustration. Both had used all their individual skills to try and track Daniel's last movements but all they had come up with was a recently destroyed Mayan temple and a broken pair of glasses.
"Do you feel that? Feels like we are in for a storm." The air was full of static as though waiting for the first roll of thunder to crack overhead. Sam looked up suspiciously expecting dark clouds to be scudding over the evening sky.
Teal'c also looked up to the sky, eyes scanning the twilight. "I do not believe that to be so, Major Carter."
"What is it, Teal'c?" O'Neill had picked up on the Jaffa's tone.
A sheet of lightening bolted down from the apparently clear sky, sundering the earth within the temple and almost blinding them with its brilliance. Instinctively they raised their arms to shield their faces from the flash.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here?"
As they lowered their arms Daniel and Vicky seemed to walk out of a curtain of lightning toward them.
Three astonished pairs of eyes locked onto Daniel's mildly curious blue ones.
"That's it! Hey guys? Not thanks for coming to rescue me Jack? Thanks for pulling my butt out of the fire yet again! " Jack's voice rang loudly in Daniel's ears.
"And who's your friend?" The weapon in Jack's hands now pointed at Vicky who stood by Daniel's side.
"Ah, Jack, I didn't actually need rescuing, and this is Victoria Ramirez." Daniel kept a straight face even as he struggled to contain his delight and amusement at Jack's predictable reaction.
Teal'c had taken a step forward, attracting Daniel's attention. The jaffa nodded slowly, unperturbed as usual. "Doctor Jackson."
Daniel nodded back, just a solemn, though a slight smile played around his eyes.
"Daniel, you're okay?" Sam put her arms around him, hugging him close.
"I'm fine, Sam," returning her embrace. "Vicky this is Sam Carter, I told you about her." The two women shook hands warily.
"You did what, Daniel? Have you forgotten everything since you went on holiday?" Caution and a warning lanced Jack's words.
"It's okay, Jack. We got caught up in the middle of something here and I had to explain certain things to Vicky. In fact I'm going to ask her to come back to Cheyenne with us."
"What?" Jack and Sam exclaimed in unison. Teal'c raised one eyebrow in Daniel's direction and Vicky stood speechless her eyes blazing. He might have to do some fast-talking later.
Jack grabbed Daniel's arm and dragged him off to one side, away from where Carter, Teal'c had flanked Vicky. "You and I need to have a little talk."
"Jack," Daniel pulled himself out of Jack's grip, his voice low and angry. "Don't do that."
"Just what do you think you are doing?" Jack hissed eyes locked to Daniel's face. "You do not go round telling everyone you meet about the SGC, about us for Christ's sake!"
"Are you going to calm down?" Daniel said levelly.
O'Neill fingered the weapon in his hand, angry with Daniel for still being the stubborn pain in the ass he had been before he left the mountain. "Talk - fast."
Daniel's attention wandered to where Vicky now stood talking animatedly to Sam. He watched mesmerised as the last dying rays of the sun caught the highlights of her hair. He had made his decision, she had to come back with them. Personal feelings aside, and he was ready to admit that perhaps he liked her more than he should, her skills as a linguist would not be lost to the SGC. Now he just had to convince Jack and Vicky that he was right.
A stray thought sent his attention off in another direction entirely. "Why did you come looking for me?"
"Let's see," Jack's tone oozed sarcasm. "There was this strange pulsing emission emanating from the jungles of Belize. That block in Sam's lab was going on and off like a kid playing with the light switch. Doc Fraiser started to get the willies thinking it was some kind of brainwashing device, and, oh yeah, knowing you were out here…need I go on?"
"Oh. Well I guess I did set that off," Daniel murmured, his eyes now on the outlined broken blocks of the once proud temple. "Still, Chak made sure that doesn't happen again."
"Who's Chak?" Jack's patience was beginning to wear thin.
"Hum? Chak was one of the earliest of the Mayan gods. The rain god actually, manifesting in thunder and lightening. Benevolent, thankfully. It was his writing on the walls here; all his other works have been destroyed. Remember the four races Thor told you about?" Daniel hardly waited for Jack's nodded response. "Well Chak is a Furling. Do you know what that means Jack?"
"No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me anyway."
" A precursor to the Goa'uld. Actually judge and jury to the Goa'uld. This," he indicated the devastation around him, "This was a place of judgement."
"And how did you get mixed up in this. Ah, don't tell me, you touched something you shouldn't have, am I right? No, don't answer that Daniel. Just tell me how she comes into it," he indicated Vicky with a nod of his head.
It was almost dark now, and Daniel could barely make out where Sam, Teal'c and Vicky were putting together a campsite. Then flames flickered brightly as the fire was lit, giving him something to focus his attention on.
"Vicky was my guide to the ruins. Her grandfather and Nick explored these hills for years trying to find the ruined temple where they found the crystal skull. At least that is the tale they told to me and to Vicky. I've read their journals, I don't know what they were up to Jack, but finding the temple wasn't it. Anyway, Vicky and I were heading to the search area; we ended up here. You should have seen the carvings on the walls, Jack. I've never seen anything so detailed so complete."
"Yeah, yeah, archaeologist's Disney. What happened!"
Daniel threw Jack a look that could have seared through concrete, the effect lost in the darkness around them.
"Vicky knew the whole pantheon. Knew the histories, the myths. Her knowledge is spectacular, and not just Mayan. We talked for a long time about Egyptian mythology, Indian, Chinese… She's fluent in ten languages."
"So, she's smart." Jack deadpanned, interrupting Daniel's gathering momentum.
"Very. And tough too. Chak's transport system left a lot to be desired. It was obvious we were no longer in an environment found on Earth. Chak may have looked human but he most definitely is not. She took on board the whole alien culture idea, after a little persuasion. Jack, she knows about aliens, she understands the need for secrecy and I don't want to lose her talents. Hammond told me to find a linguist, anthropologist for the SGC, I want Vicky."
Jack eyed his companion, suddenly wary. Daniel, once he got an idea into his head, good or bad, was the very devil to divert.
"Then why wasn't she on your list? What's she doing tramping the jungles instead of teaching somewhere, or digging up dead stuff?"
Daniel's voice lowered confidentially. "She lost her father two years ago and didn't get a chance to finish her doctorate. That doesn't mean she isn't qualified to do the job. She kept calm on Chak's ship. Some of it wasn't …pleasant."
"What happened up there Daniel?" Jack was used to Daniel's vehemence, but he was sure it hadn't just been a 'meet and greet', thanks for visiting and come around again soon.
Daniel shook his head. "Later Jack. I'll tell you later." Suddenly he was bone weary again. A month of nightmares topped off by a couple of days fighting for his sanity had left its mark. Slowly he made his way to the flickering light that beckoned him to its warmth. Vicky's eyes were still angry but he sat himself near her, propped up against a large broken slab, smiling at Sam as she handed him his first cup of coffee for over a week.
Lines creased his brow as tension seeped up his back and into his neck, he was so very tired. As his eyes drifted shut he became aware of the touch of Vicky's fingers on the back of his hand.
"You're going to spill your coffee, Doctor Jackson."
"Daniel," he mumbled, as she pulled the cup from his hands and sleep took him.
***
Epilogue
It was late, everyone had vacated the bar and only Daniel and Vicky remained sitting at a table on the balcony, the wash of the ocean a background to their conversation. The rest of SG1 had retired, giving Daniel time alone with his problem.
All the way back down the mountain Daniel had tried, unsuccessfully, to talk to her about joining the SGC, about making use of her talents in a more positive way. And all the way back through the jungle she had turned off every approach with an adeptness that drove him crazy. Jack's 'I think you need to brush up on your diplomacy skills, Doctor Jackson' had only added to his frustration. Once they had returned to civilisation, Daniel had insisted they stay the night in Belize, he'd had enough of feeling like the jungle was living in his clothing. He wanted to stand for an hour under hot running water, he wanted to top up his energy levels with a huge pot of freshly-ground coffee, but most of all he wanted more time to try and persuade Vicky to stay with them.
She had been a pleasant companion over dinner, and he could see that the others were warming to her beauty and her intelligence, just as he had. Vicky had talked astronomy with Jack, found common ground with Sam and even Teal'c, usually stoic to the nth degree, had unbent enough to recall certain mythologies that he had learned in his childhood. Now they were alone, Vicky's fingers turned her wineglass this way and that, letting the candle on their tiny table glow through the deep red liquid.
"Vicky, why won't you even consider it? It's a fascinating job, it pays well and you could keep the house here and still afford somewhere in the States too."
She stayed quiet, eyes refusing to meet his. Uneasiness entered him as another thought for her refusal took root, one he really didn't want to face.
"Is there someone here that you don't want to leave? Boyfriend," he paused, then, "Husband?"
Vicky's eyes lifted to his as she shook her head. "No," she said softly.
"Then what is it?" His hand reached across the table, fingers stilling hers as they played with the glass stem of her drink.
"Things would get too complicated." Her eyes dropped from his intense gaze.
His fingers tightened on hers, forcing her to look back at him. "Complicated how?"
He watched as she bit her lip, he wasn't used to this holding back from her. And then, as though a decision made, she leaned across the table and kissed him full on the lips before drawing back and moving her hand away from his.
"Complicated," she reiterated.
"Oh." Daniel let his tongue glide over his lips, tasting her there. He stood, moving around the table to stand in front of her. His fingers found her cheek, forcing her face up to meet his as he bent to reciprocate. "I can live with that," he said softly, drawing her up and into his arms.
***
One month later.
Daniel, after donning his military green, hung up his civilian clothes. The letters he had picked up that morning were still shoved in the pocket of his jacket. He had been in such a rush that he had not even read the envelopes. Now, with a few minutes to spare, he turned them over. The top one caught his eye - Vicky. Discarding the envelope on the bench he wandered the room reading her news.
"Hey Daniel, you ready to go?" Jack came in, already dressed and armed.
"In a minute," Daniel's tone was distracted.
Jack moved around the room, noting the pile of letters and one empty envelope. Sitting on the bench he casually turned it over, and saw the postmark.
"Everything okay with Vicky?"
"Fine. She takes her finals in a month's time but she's escorting one last trip into the hills, three weeks with some wealthy tourists who want to try living rough. She says she needs some space before the exams. They left day before yesterday and will be back on the twentieth." As Daniel's eyes drifted down the page, his mouth twitched into a smile.
"Good news?" Jack was bored, and Daniel's letter was a mild distraction. "Why does she write so often anyway, hasn't she heard of the phone?"
"You can't keep a phone call, Jack," Daniel replied, tucking the letter away. "So are you ready to go?"
"Me?" Jack's voice was indignant as he followed Daniel out to the embarkation room.
***
Stepping into the facility, the security escort left their side. In front of them stood a tall, open-faced man who quickly introduced himself.
"This is incredible! It is a pleasure to meet you. I, I'm Jonas Quinn. I'm special advisor to our High Minister."
The end.
Belated author's note.
My thanks to those of you who stuck with this, and apologies for making you wait for the ending. Thanks to Karen for last minute editing skills - ta everso.
All feedback most welcome. Feel free to review g or mail me off line.
