Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing and encouraging me to continue this story.
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, hey look I may actually have a plot.
Jack stared at the list his guest handed him, "He wants all these books?"
Nick nodded, "He saw something when he was in the museum and for some reason he won't let it go."
"And he's given me instructions on how to find them," Jack laughed.
Nick shrugged, "Daniel was sure you wouldn't be able to find them in his office."
"Probably not," Jack replied, "I'll try and get these over the next few days."
"Thanks," Nick checked his watch, "I have to get going."
Jack watched as Nick walked out before disappearing. Shaking his head he glanced back down at the list, he hoped he could get these out without drawing attention especially from Carter. She was still well and truly pissed at him and he didn't need her questioning him about it.
x
Daniel walked through the park with Ari in his arms enjoying the sun. He'd decided not to bring her chair because he loved being able to hold her. He knew the time would come too soon when he wouldn't be able to carry her everywhere.
The tablet he'd seen was still preying on his mind but until he got the books he needed he wasn't able to do much about it. Other than that small difficulty was the more monumental problem of getting hold of the tablet again which he had no idea how to do.
"Hey," Melissa called as she saw them running over to join them.
"Hi," Daniel smiled looking at her confused, "Aren't you away on holiday?"
"Tomorrow morning," she sang, "I can't wait. Two weeks of nothing but sun, sea, sand and me and Eddie with no one to bother us."
"It's alright for some," Daniel told her, "Ari would love the beach."
"I'm sure she would," Melissa smiled holding out her arms to his daughter, "So are you enjoying helping out at the museum?"
Daniel nodded smiling as Ari jumped to Melissa, "I did the same thing when I was studying so it's nothing new. But there are some interesting pieces there."
"I suppose so," she said as she played with Ari.
"You don't like museums?" Daniel smiled.
"My Dad did," she told him, "Every summer we would get dragged around the museums while we went on holiday when all me and Mom wanted to do was to jump in the pool so it's not my favourite place."
"I see your point," he shrugged.
Melissa laughed before checking her watch, "I have to go. I've got to pack."
"You haven't packed yet?" Daniel asked incredulously.
"No I have," she explained, "Then Mom repacks for me taking out everything of hers I want to take with me and hides it so I have to repack it all again. This is of course after I find it and steal it back."
Daniel laughed taking Ari back giving Melissa a slight wave as she left then it struck him. That's how he'd get it.
x
"You're going to what?" Jack demanded as he stood in the living room with the books Daniel had wanted.
"Nick and I are going to break into the museum and make a copy of the tablet," Daniel explained simply.
"So why am I here?" Jack asked, finally managing to find his voice.
"I need someone to watch Ari," Daniel replied.
Jack stared at him, "What about that Nanny you had?"
"Melissa? She's away on holiday," Daniel told him, "And what would I say? Could you watch my daughter while my brother and I go on a crime spree?"
"On that point I conceded," Nick told Jack as he leaned against the wall watching.
"Okay," Jack said, "Why not let Nick go himself?"
"He doesn't know what he's looking for," Daniel replied.
"You go…" Jack started before shaking his head, "No, that's never a good idea. Let me go with Nick. I'm pretty sure I can recognise Gould these days and I've done my fair share of breaking and entering."
"Jack, Nick can fly and hear anyone coming and I can move things with my mind," Daniel told him, "What was your super power again?"
"Fine," Jack cried finally admitting defeat, "I'll baby-sit. I just can't believe you got Nick to fly me all this way just for that."
"You're not the only one," Nick sighed, "Daniel's let's go."
Daniel leaned down to Ari, "You behave for uncle Jack," he gave her a quick kiss before he and Nick left.
Jack picked the little girl up, "Your Daddy has lost it, yes he has."
"Teal'c," Sam poked her head into his room, "Have you seen the Colonel?"
"Not since we finished our briefing," the Jaffa replied from his meditative position.
"Am I the only one who's noticed or has he sort of been not with the rest of us these past few months?" Sam asked.
"I believe he is missing Daniel Jackson," Teal'c told her, "As we both are."
"I'll see if he's at his house on my way home," Sam said.
"Are you not being a little…"
"Paranoid?" Sam finished, "Yeah but Daniel just disappeared on us I don't want him to go too."
Teal'c nodded, "Call me if you find him."
"And call you if I don't?" Sam smiled, "I will."
x
Sam knocked on Jack's door impatiently. There were no lights on at all.
"Colonel," she called through it.
This was strange he had been so distant ever since Daniel had gone missing with Ari; she knew he was missing Daniel. Despite what he'd told them about leaving Daniel alone she knew what he must be doing.
Pulling out her phone she quickly dialled, "Teal'c," she said when he answered, "He's not here. I think he's still looking for Daniel."
"Then we should allow him to," Teal'c replied.
"I guess so," she sighed, "I'll see you tomorrow."
x
"Well?" Jack asked as the two men walked in.
"We got what we wanted," Daniel replied smiling at the picture of Jack sitting with Ari curled up against his neck fast asleep.
"Good," Jack frowned, "Any idea what it says?"
"Not yet," Daniel told him lifting Ari, "Sh honey," he murmured, as she became restless, "I'll tell you after I've put her down."
Jack waited till Daniel was out of range then looked at Nick as he sat across from him, "Well?"
Nick shrugged, "It means absolutely nothing to me. I recognised a few of the symbols but as far as I know its gibberish."
"That's encouraging," Jack replied.
"I can't read Goa'uld," Nick told him, "As normal Egyptian hieroglyphics it makes no sense but Daniel obviously saw something important on it."
Jack sighed; he had a bad feeling about this.
x
Daniel looked down on his daughter as she slept.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell Jack what little he'd managed to translate. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to know himself but he had to discover the truth for his daughter. She would want to know the answers and he had to be able to provide them. Even if it turned out to have something to do with the Stargate Daniel was determined not to go anywhere near it.
"So?" Jack demanded when he entered the room.
"The tablet has something to do with Ammonet," Daniel explained nodding gratefully as Nick handed him some coffee, "The thing is when Ari was born Sha're said that Ammonet told her she would let Ari live if Sha're did nothing to stop the birth of Shifu. I think there might have been more to it than just that."
"Like what?" Nick asked.
Daniel sighed, "I'm going to have to translate the tablet before I can tell you exactly what is going on. Jack it's getting late. Nick could you take him home now?"
Nick nodded, "Of course."
"Keep in touch," Jack ordered him.
"I will," Daniel gave him a soft smile as Jack hugged him, "Be careful out there."
"Always," Jack grinned before he and Nick left.
x
"He's hiding something," Jack told Nick as they stood at Jack's door.
"How do you know?"
"Reading Daniel is sort of a sixth sense with me," Jack explained, "Whatever is in that tablet could hold the key to why he can do what he's able to do now. Try and make sure you find out what it says once he's translated it."
Nick looked at him blandly.
"If you would," Jack sighed.
"I will," Nick smiled, "Goodnight Jack."
"Night."
"Adele," Daniel smiled when he answered the door, "Come in."
Adele Sumner followed him to where Ari was playing, "Hello sweetie."
Ari bounced at her visitor her arms reaching out to the woman. Adele smiled and obeyed the command smiling as the little girl cuddled her.
"She's turning into a spoilt kid," Adele laughed.
"She's all I have left of her mother," Daniel said softly, "I guess I do spoil her quite a bit."
"I know what you mean I did the same with Melissa," Adele mused, "But she turned out okay."
"So…" Daniel started to ask.
"Of course the reason I'm here," Adele laughed, "Since we all start back at school on Monday, Melissa and I are holding an end of summer barbecue on Saturday night."
"Sounds good," Daniel smiled.
"If you, Ari and your brother want to come," Adele said, "We'll see you at seven."
"See you then," Daniel replied as Adele handed him Ari, "Do you want us to bring anything?"
"Bring some food and whatever you want to drink," Adele told him, "Just don't bring coleslaw. Fran Todd always brings that."
"I'll remember," Daniel laughed, "We'll see you then."
x
Nick was going to join them after dark pretending he'd just got home. At seven on Saturday night Daniel dressed Ari in a cute matching denim outfit making sure he packed things to keep her entertained. He sat her on a chair while he put on his own jacket and smiled at her.
"You know you're the spitting image of your Mommy," he told his daughter, "Yes you are. Just as beautiful as she was."
Ari reached out to him and nestled against his neck when he picked her up.
"I wish she'd been able to hold you," Daniel whispered, "Just for a moment. I wish she was here with us."
Looking into the big blue eyes under the sunhat he smiled again, "But she always loved you."
With a sigh Daniel decided it was time to head to the barbecue, hoisting Ari's bag onto his shoulder and carrying the bag with some food and drink in it he headed out.
x
"Hi Daniel," Melissa smiled, taking the bag he had, "Just put Ari's stuff in the kitchen again. Everyone's out the back."
"Sure," Daniel placed Ari's bag somewhere he could find it but out of the road before taking his daughter out to join the party.
"Daniel," Adele smiled, "Your brother not with you?"
"Nick will be here later," Daniel told her.
"Good," Adele smiled, "Well help yourself to burgers and salad. Watch out for the dip though, there is a ton of garlic in it."
"I'll remember to warn Nick," Daniel smiled, "He's allergic."
"Sleeps all day allergic to garlic," Adele grinned, "If I didn't know better I'd say he was a vampire."
Daniel laughed with her before grimacing slightly when she turned her back.
"I'd better go help Melissa," she told him.
x
Adele heard the doorbell ring and left her conversation to answer it.
"Paul," she grinned finding her brother there, "You made it."
Major Paul Davis hugged her, "Not exactly when I was originally meant to be here but still within the year."
"We're having a barbecue," she told him herding him in, "Come and get something to eat."
Davis looked across the lawn and saw his niece.
"Uncle Paul," she called running over and hugging him before punching him on the arm, "You're a little late."
"Work was hard to get away from," he told her.
"What you leave and it's the end of the world?" Melissa asked sarcastically.
"Something like that," he laughed, "Where's Eddie?"
"He had to go see his parents for a while," she sighed, "But he'll be back soon."
"Go, mingle," she ordered, "I have to fix some more chicken wings."
Davis laughed and grabbing himself a drink went to join the party. Saying hello to the people he knew Davis wandered through the garden.
"What the hell?" he murmured as he saw someone who looked very familiar, "Dr Jackson?"
"Paul," Principle Forest came over and greeted him, "How are you doing?"
"Fine," Davis nodded, "You Martin?"
"School starts on Monday," he sighed, "Summer never seems long enough."
"Who's that over there," Davis asked motioning to where Daniel was standing rocking Ari to sleep.
"Daniel Jansson," Forest told him, "He's the newest addition to the faculty."
"The baby?"
"His daughter," Forest continued, "Poor man, his wife died and he's raising her with his brother. Such a nice guy speaks a load of languages. All the female students love him, not to mention several of the mothers."
"Really?" Davis laughed, " Isn't that who Melissa was working for."
"Yeah."
"I think I'll go say hi," Davis said, "See you later Martin."
Hoping he didn't turn around Davis walked towards Daniel.
"Enjoying the party Dr Jackson?" he asked softly.
Daniel spun, "Ma…Major Davis?" he stammered slightly, "What are you doing here?"
"Visiting my sister and niece," Davis replied, "It's good to know you're safe. SG1 and General Hammond are really worried about you."
"I'm fine," Daniel told him, "You can't tell them I'm here."
"Dr…"
"Daniel," Daniel told him sharply, "Dr Jackson doesn't exist anymore, he can't."
"Daniel," Davis continued, "I can't not tell them."
"Please," Daniel said, "You don't understand, I have to keep Ari safe."
Davis looked at the child sleeping against her father, "She's beautiful."
Before Daniel could say anything more Davis' phone rang.
"Major Davis," he answered it, "Yes General. What? Are you sure? Of course, I'm on my way."
"What?" Daniel demanded.
"SG1 have been captured," Davis told him softly, "A Goa'uld has them, Apophis has them. I have to go back to Cheyenne Mountain."
Daniel watched as he left, he saw Melissa's disappointment that her uncle was leaving.
"Daniel?" Nick came up to him.
"We need to talk."
General George Hammond answered the phone when it interrupted him.
"Sir, there is a Dr Daniel Jackson at the entrance," the guard told him.
"Let him down," Hammond ordered.
A few minutes later Daniel walked into the office.
"Dr Jackson," Hammond greeted him warmly, "It's good to see you."
"I'm not here for a social visit," Daniel told him, "I heard about SG1. I want to help them."
"I can understand that," Hammond said.
"Sir, if it's Apophis I can help," Daniel told him, "Let me."
Hammond stared at him for a few seconds, "Very well. SG2 are heading through in about half an hour."
"Thank you," Daniel sighed.
"Where is your daughter?" Hammond asked.
"She's safe," Daniel told him, "That's what else I need to tell you. If anything happens to me or if I don't return within a week then call this number. He'll bring her here, call Kasuf to take Ari. If anyone tries to stop that he'll take her and you'll never find them."
Hammond nodded, "I promise I'll get your daughter to her grandfather but I expect you all back."
"Thank you sir," Daniel said as he headed to get changed.
x
"Hi Daniel," Ferretti said as he stood at the door to the changing room.
"Hey," Daniel replied pulling on his jacket.
"You know they've been worried about you," Ferretti told him, "You managed to disappear completely."
"That was the point," Daniel replied flatly.
Ferretti sighed, "Daniel come home. Do you think Jack would let anyone take her from you? He'd fight to the death to stop that."
"Ferretti, I don't want him to have to fight," Daniel told him, "I just want Ari to be somewhere that's safe. Where I don't have to always worry about the day I wouldn't make it home."
"Then why are you here now? If Apophis gets you Ari is left an orphan."
"I have to help them," Daniel told the leader of SG2, "Jack, Sam and Teal'c have saved my life more times than I can count, I'm the one Apophis wants."
"Well he's not getting either you or them," Ferretti told him, "Let's go."
Nick sighed; Ari was so quiet it was worrying.
"She's really well behaved," Natalie smiled down at the little girl.
"I think she's worried about her Dad," Nick told her, "Whatever Daniel is doing could mean he won't be able to come back for her. I just wish I knew some way to help."
Natalie rested her hand on his shoulder, "I think caring for his daughter is the one thing he needs from you."
"If I get a phone call in a few days," Nick said leaning his head against hers, "I have to give Ari to her grandfather and I never see her again. She's become my niece and I adore her so much Nat."
Natalie smiled, "I can see that. Just think positive."
"Thanks," he sighed.
"You go and report to work and I'll take care of her tonight," Natalie told him.
"Thank you," Nick smiled, "I'll take the rest of the week off."
"Go," she ordered.
Nick gently kissed Ari's forehead before kissing Natalie's cheek and leaving.
x
LaCroix stood above the cot where the child was lying sleeping. He made sure that Dr Lambert wouldn't wake up for the duration he was here.
"So you are the one," LaCroix mused over the sleeping baby, "Our only hope to stop them returning. Even those of us who walk only at night need your light. I'm sure Nicholas would find this very amusing to know that I am trying to protect a mortal. But you child are no normal mortal."
LaCroix leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, "I shall be guarding you child. You are our only hope."