Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing and ideas.
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, the encouragement keeps me writing.
"Hey," Jack said sitting down beside Daniel on top the mountain.
"Hey," Daniel answered his gaze never wavering from the view.
"How you feeling?" Jack asked.
Daniel sighed, "Honestly I don't know," he turned to look at his friend, "I have a daughter Jack. I can't believe it."
Jack rested his hand on Daniel's shoulder in silent comfort.
"When she was born I was so amazed," Daniel continued, "For this small moment we were a family. We managed to name her then the boy was coming and that was the end of the dream."
"What's her name?" Jack asked.
"Arianna," Daniel smiled, "I told Sha're a story about when I was at school and one of the girls was called Arianna. Sha're loved the name and decided we were going to call our first daughter that."
"Lovely name," Jack told him encouraging him to get everything off his chest.
"The boy," Daniel sighed, "He was so cute too. I named him Shifu, it was the name of Sha're's favourite uncle. When I gave them to Kasuf…" Daniel trailed off sniffing back his tears, "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"I know Danny," Jack sighed rubbing his friend's shoulder comfortingly, "I know."
x
"Daniel?"
Jack's irate voice forced itself into his consciousness.
"Daniel, wake up."
Daniel groaned opening his eyes finding Jack leaning over him, "Jack?"
"Of all the idiotic, dumb ass, moronic things you have ever done," Jack snapped.
"Quieter," Daniel murmured, "My head is pounding."
"I wonder why?" Jack retorted sarcastically, "What the hell are you doing here Daniel?"
"Trying to help you guys," Daniel replied managing to sit up rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Good job," Jack rolled his eyes, "What about Ari?"
"Nick has her," Daniel replied, "I heard about Apophis having you guys and I had to come."
"Daniel," Jack said trying not to lose his temper, "How can you be called a genius when you do such stupid things?"
"Jack, please talk a little softer until my head returns to his normal size?" Daniel groaned.
"How did Apophis get you?" Jack asked finally.
"I came through the Gate with SG2 and a group of Jaffa jumped us," Daniel explained, "I was whacked in the head and woke up here."
"No time to…" Jack trailed off making a gesture to signify Daniel's power.
"None," Daniel smiled, "Where are Sam and Teal'c?"
"I think the Tok'ra have them," Jack admitted.
"What?"
"I'm pretty sure I saw 'Dad' before I ended up in here," Jack told him, "Which means you didn't need to come."
Daniel sighed, "Jack I did. Apophis may hold the key to why I can now…" he repeated Jack's strange gesture.
"Really?"
"Part of the tablet," Daniel told him reluctantly, "It mentions a group back before the Gould was expelled from Earth, a group who were creating something that could destroy the Gould. There are more tablets Jack. Many more and they can tell what the hell is happening to me. They can explain why Ari exists."
"Does it matter?" Jack asked softly, "Ari exists and she's yours and you love her. Why does it matter why she does?"
"Because she'll want to know," Daniel cried.
"Getting yourself killed isn't going to give her those answers," Jack sighed.
"I'm beginning to really miss her," Daniel said, "Feel like busting out of here?"
Jack nodded, "Can you do that?"
"Very possibly," Daniel told him.
x
Ari pushed away the spoon refusing to eat.
"Ari," Nick sighed, "Stop that."
A small pout appeared on her face, "Nah," she cried, "Dada. Dada."
"Ari, please eat," Nick groaned, "Your Dad will be back soon, I know it."
"Having difficulty?" LaCroix asked.
Nick jumped around grabbing Ari up into his arms, "What do you want?"
"I came to check up on your young guest," LaCroix moved over to sit on the couch.
Nick stared at him, "What are you talking about?"
"That child Nicholas," LaCroix told him, "Surely you must know how special she is."
"I know she's special," Nick replied.
"But you don't know exactly why, do you?"
Nick frowned unnerved by his 'father's' unusual interest in Ari.
"Such a beautiful baby," LaCroix continued, "Gifted like her father."
"What do you know about him?" Nick asked.
"More than you do. Do you think it is only a coincidence that you are here?" LaCroix asked, "That I choose you from all Janette showed me when I was searching for a son. There are forces Nicholas, forces that have guided both you and your friend. Listen to me, I will be watching you and your friend and the child."
"Why?" Nick demanded.
"We each have a part to play in this…game," LaCroix smiled, "The other tablets hold the answers your friend seeks. I'm sure you will be able to find them yourself but if you truly need my help I will consider it."
With that he stood up and walked to his son, "Such a beautiful child," he murmured again before leaving.
x
Sam turned to her father, "Well?"
"They've escaped," Jacob said confused, "Don't ask me how but they escaped."
"That is good news," Teal'c told her.
Ferretti nodded, "We had no way to know we'd be jumped. I don't know why they separated us."
"Apophis most likely wanted Daniel Jackson alive and would have killed the rest of you," Teal'c proposed.
"Teal'c don't ever try to cheer me up," Ferretti frowned, "If he wanted Jack and Daniel alive he probably put them together."
"So where are they?" Sam demanded.
"Looking for us?" Jack interrupted as he and Daniel jogged over to them.
"Daniel," Sam smiled hugging him.
"Hug later, home now," Jack ordered.
An explosion beside them announced the arrival of Jaffa. Teal'c started to return fire as Sam pulled out her GDO.
"Daniel, open the Gate," Jack ordered.
Daniel scrambled round to the DHD and dialled Earth, "Sam."
Sam sent the signal but before she could move a Jaffa appeared above her. About to knock her unconscious with his staff, he stared in shock as the staff suddenly flew to Jack before the Jaffa went flying back.
"What the…" Sam breathed in shock but was shoved by Jack towards the Gate before she could say anything else.
"Yes," Apophis laughed.
Daniel spun to see the Goa'uld standing watching.
"My Queen was right about you," he grinned evilly, "She will be so pleased."
"What?" Daniel stared at the one thing in the universe he hated not seeing the Jaffa beside it's master.
"Daniel!!" Jack yelled but it was too late. Daniel collapsed as the zat blast surrounded him.
Jack and Teal'c started to fire continuously as Jacob grabbed Daniel's arm dragging him to the Gate.
Daniel heard Jack order the Iris closed before he slipped into unconsciousness.
"What happened?" Sam asked Jack, "I mean something did that."
"I don't know," Jack lied hoping to keep Daniel's secret as long as possible, "It could have been Oma. She's probably watching him making sure Ari is safe."
"That sounds very probable," Teal'c agreed.
Jack silently sighed in relief at his brilliant lie. They all looked round as Janet appeared.
"How is he?" Jack asked.
"Fine," Janet assured them, "He had a concussion from his previous injury but he's fine. He should be waking up soon."
"Go stay with him," Jack told the other two, "I'll be there in a few minutes."
Sam nodded and followed Janet with Teal'c to Daniel's bedside.
Jack headed to his office and picked up his phone. It was answered on the second ring.
"Knight."
"Nick, it's Jack."
"Where's Daniel?" Nick asked; Jack could hear the worry in his voice.
"The infirmary," Jack reported, "He was knocked out but he's fine. I'll call you when he's released, we'll meet up at my house."
"That's a good idea," Nick replied.
"How's Ari?"
Nick sighed, "She's been crying and upset since he left. As soon as they're back together she'll be fine."
"I'll call you back soon," Jack told him.
"Good," Nick said before hesitating, "Jack, there may be something we all need to discuss."
"Like?"
"I can't say over the phone or without Daniel," Nick told him, "Just…never mind. Call me when you want me to bring Ari to your house. Bye."
Nick hung up leaving Jack frowning; he wondered what had got Nick so wound up. Shrugging he knew there was no point brooding over it and headed down to check up on Daniel.
x
Daniel watched Sha're as she played with her son. In his arms Ari giggled bouncing wanting to join in the fun. Walking over to them he sat down on the rug with Sha're placing Ari so she was facing her brother.
Gently he tossed a ball in between them levitating it for them to try and catch.
"You are getting good at that my husband," Sha're laughed.
"I've had to practice," he replied smiling as Ari grabbed at the ball.
"Be careful Dan'iel," Sha're warned, "Do not get overconfident."
"I won't," he promised.
Sha're's dark eyes filled with concern, "They are opposites Dan'iel. And that could hurt you."
"What?" Daniel asked the game forgotten.
"Be careful my love," she cautioned, "He knows now. He knows."
"I don't understand," Daniel whispered, "Sha're, what do you mean."
Instead of answering she picked up Shifu holding him close to her, "Look at him."
Looking into the brown eyes of the little boy pain built up in Daniel's head.
x
"Ow," Daniel recoiled from Janet's penlight as he woke up.
"Well he's awake," Janet announced slight sarcasm in her tone.
"I think the yelp of pain told me that," Jack answered, "How you feeling Daniel?"
"Like hell," Daniel replied before rubbing his eyes, he then looked at Jack his eyes asking.
Jack gave him a slight nod; Ari was fine.
Daniel relaxed back, "Can you give me something for this headache?" he asked Janet.
"A smack to the head," Janet replied.
"Not exactly what I had in mind," Daniel grimaced.
"I'll get you some painkillers," she told him before disappearing.
"Where are Sam and Teal'c?" Daniel asked.
"With Hammond," Jack told him, "I said I'd debrief once I knew you were okay."
"And Ari's fine?" Daniel asked just wanting to make sure.
"Nick says she'll be much happier with you there but she's okay."
Daniel sighed rubbing his face, "Did you hear what he said? His Queen would be pleased, Jack Sha're could…"
"Daniel, come on," Jack sighed, "Don't do this to yourself. Apophis was messing with you. He knows how much you loved her, how much you love her. He wanted to distract you and he did."
"I know," Daniel sighed, "I just wish…"
"Yeah, me too," Jack rubbed his friends shoulder, "Look just get better so you can get back to your daughter."
Daniel nodded and closed his eyes to hopefully sleep away his headache.
Nick knocked.
Jack smiled when he opened the door his grin increasing seeing the way Nick had Ari strapped to him.
"It's the best way to carry her and fly," Nick told him unhooking the little girl who opened her eyes and looked around her new surroundings.
"I didn't say anything," Jack grinned, taking Ari from him, "Hello beautiful. There's someone who wants to see you, yes. He wants to see you."
"Dada," Ari cried seeing Daniel sitting on the couch.
Daniel leapt up and caught her as she jumped from Jack's arms. Holding his daughter close he smiled soothingly whispering to her. Jack smiled; the change in Daniel the moment the child was with him was remarkable.
"Jack said there was something you wanted to talk about," Daniel said sitting down Ari on his lap.
Nick nodded, "LaCroix paid me a visit. He knows about Ari and you, what you can both do and he knows about the tablets."
"How?" Daniel demanded.
"I don't know," Nick frowned, "He said something about forces guiding us and that we should be able to find the other tablets. If not he may consider helping which is his way of saying he'll help."
"Who is LaCroix?" Jack asked.
"He was the one that made me a Vampire," Nick explained, "He brought me across. His reasoning being he wanted a son but apparently there was a detailed selection process."
"Will he try to hurt Ari?" Daniel asked worriedly.
"No," Nick assured him, "He's protecting her. From what I don't know yet but I'll find out. Someone else in the community must have an idea, I don't want to go to him until I've exhausted all our other options."
Jack nodded in agreement, "Daniel, are you going to talk to Sam and Teal'c?" He was amazed that Daniel had managed to avoid them both all the time he was in the base.
"No."
"Daniel!!"
"Jack, I can't," Daniel said, "Sam will want an explanation and I can't give her one."
"I told her Oma must have done that stuff," Jack shrugged, "She won't ask about that."
"No, but she'll ask me where I am, what I'm doing," Daniel looked at his friend sadly, "Why I left. I can't explain to her, she wouldn't understand."
Jack sighed, "You know I'm the one she's going to be pissed at don't you?"
"Sorry," Daniel sighed, "But I have to do this for Ari."
"I know," Jack clapped him on the shoulder, "You know you can talk to me though, whenever you need to."
"Thanks Jack," Daniel gave his friend a warm smile before turning to Nick, "Ready to go?"
Nick nodded, "The car's pretty close so…"
Daniel nodded and moved his now sleeping daughter onto his shoulder properly, "See you soon."
Jack watched as they left. Now he had to wait for the fallout from Sam and Teal'c, sighing he closed the door.
Daniel fixed himself some coffee pleased to be back in the house. He'd slept with Ari next to him as she wouldn't settle alone in her cot but now she seemed to believe he was staying and was sitting playing happily. He'd have to go back to school soon but since Nick had called in sick for him he could use that as an excuse for a few more days, besides he did have a concussion a few days ago.
His mind floated to his strange dream of Sha're, they were opposites she said. That was the second dream both had happened when he'd been unconscious rather than sleeping properly that couldn't be a coincidence.
Daniel grimaced remembering one of the therapists he'd been sent to after his parents had died, the doctor told him to keep a dream journal. Daniel had always thought that to be a stupid idea considering every night he dreamt the same thing and writing it down did not help but in this instance.
Looking down at Ari he sighed, "Your mother is giving me cryptic messages. I wish she was here to explain them."
Daniel saw his daughter's lip start to tremble and he lifted her into his arms, "Don't cry honey. I'm sorry, I just miss her," Ari cuddled him before trying to get down making Daniel smile, "I just miss her."
Setting her back down Daniel flopped onto the couch, lying there he watched Ari his mind working over everything.
x
Nick grimaced annoyed.
No one, not one person had any information for him on the whereabouts of these stupid tablets. He didn't want to ask LaCroix, at least not yet. He wanted to put off having to listen to his 'father' gloat about being needed for as long as possible.
He started to wonder if maybe he was looking too far a field, what if the museum in town held more than just what Daniel had seen.
Nick frowned; he hated not being in control especially when there seemed to be someone pulling strings in a game he didn't have the rules for.
"Knight?" Schanke yelled pulling him out of his musing.
"Yeah?"
"Captain wants us," his partner rolled his eyes, "What is your problem lately?"
"Just got a lot on my mind," Nick told him.
"Well, try and focus on your work," Schanke told him, "Keep your problems for when you're off the clock Knight."
Nick followed his partner to see the Captain wondering if maybe he hadn't bitten off more than he could chew. This was beginning to wear him down, Natalie was right. He had to choose one thing or the other and to be honest he didn't know if he could.
x
Jack was avoiding the other members of SG1 at this precise moment in time mostly due to how annoyed both Sam and Teal'c were at him for letting Daniel go before they could talk to him.
"Colonel," Major Davis greeted him as he walked past.
"I thought you were on vacation," Jack said, "Did you miss us that much?"
Davis laughed, "Nope, I made it to my sister's, got some food at the barbecue and General Hammond called to tell me Apophis had you and SG1."
"Ow," Jack murmured, "Nice long vacation then?"
Davis laughed, "I was just talking with one of the new guys to the town when my phone went but it's odd. I can't for the life of me remember who it was or what we were talking about."
"That riveting a conversation," Jack laughed.
Davis looked confused, "It's strange. It's like I don't want to remember. Oh well I doubt it's important."
Jack frowned as Davis nodded to him heading away. The way Davis described that feeling; Jack knew exactly what it was.
"Hey Major," Jack caught up with him, "Forgot something from my office," he lied as they continued to walk, "So are you heading back to your sister's now SG1 are safe and well."
"No such luck," Davis sighed, "New crisis."
"Is this also the niece who's birthday you missed?"
"Yeah."
Jack kept the conversation going working up to his big question. He chatted to Davis for a while finally reaching his office and just before they went their separate ways Jack turned to him, "So where is this wonderful small town then?"