Author's Note: Special Guest Star, Dr. Samantha Carter
Warnings: Mild Language and Violence
The Road to Hell
Glenn, you don't know that, Paris argued with him.
Sharp look up at Paris, right into her eyes, think about it, Paris. It's the only thing that makes sense. The Maldorians weren't ready to attack for another hundred years, they obviously were forced out of that plan. Why? Because they thought they could take us out one at a time, but when we joined forces with the Asguard, they knew their secret was out. So they stepped up their timeline and they attacked early, which is what caused all of this.
And you're saying if you hadn't told the General about the threat that the alliance wouldn't have happened and they would not have attacked?
At least not for another hundred years or so, he confirmed.
But won't we just be delaying the problem, Glenn? I mean, if we don't know what's coming, it won't matter if it's five years or a hundred years. We'll still be caught completely offguard, Paris argued.
Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that the way things are right now its bad and it can't get much worse. Who knows what will happen in those hundred years. We could make some scientific breakthrough that could turn the tables in our favor, he said, standing and pacing around the room.
"Glenn, what are you planning?" Paris asked, worried by the look on his face.
"I'm not planning anything," he told her, eerily calm. "In fact, I'm not gonna do a damn thing." Sharp slowly sat down and put his feet up on the table.
"I don't like the way you said that," she in a more worried tone.
Sharp stood again. "Threre's one easy way to fix this," he reasoned. "I stay here. If I don't go back, I can't set things in motion."
"Do you have any idea what you're saying?!" Paris exclaimed. "It's not that simple, Glenn."
"Why isn't it?" he said in fit of frustration. "Tell me why something can't be simple for once!"
Paris stood, walked over to Glenn and stopped his pacing by standing in front of him, "because it's not and you know it."
"No, I don't know," he fired back.
"Do you have any idea what will happen if you don't go back?!" she continued. "I mean there would be massive consequences!"
"Like what? Like impacting the timeline?! That's kinda the point, Paris!"
"But how do you know it will get better, Glenn?" she questioned.
"Look at what's happening around! It can't get much /worse/ here!" he said turning away from her.
"Fine, then I'm getting someone who can explain it to you!" she said moving to the comm panel.
"What are you doing? The ships are under radio silence, Paris."
"Not for me they're not," she smiled and punched up the Foxstar.
*Comm officer*, came the voice.
"Put me through to Dr. Carter please," Paris replied.
Glenn moved over to the comm to shut it off, but Paris swatted his hand away, "are you nuts?! They're on a mission!"
"This is important. Besides, it's /your/ mission," she pointed out.
*Carter here,* Sam answered the comm.
"Sam, I need your help," Paris informed her. "I need you to explain what would happen if Glenn decided not to go back to his own time."
*Please tell me you're kidding,* Sam said with concern in her voice.
"This isn't important right now, Sam. You've just got to stop that replicant from going back," Glenn tried, hoping to end the conversation.
Sam turned her full attention now to the comm and the serious situation that was developing, *Glenn, you have no idea what could happen if... *
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... timeline crap. I'm aware, Sam," he interrupted, rolling his eyes.
*I don't think you are, Glenn,* Sam immediatly responded. *We're not dealing with simple time travel. I told you that. That time disortion is of your entire life. If you don't go back, the effects will be greater than just the events after you went back.*
"I don't see how," Sharp admitted.
*Remember how General Scott told you that your younger self replaced you in your time? Well that means he's going through the same effects and unless we send both of you back to where you belong, he'll die too. And if he dies, the person that is you and that you are will have never have existed after five years old.*
"One more time, Sam and this time in English," Glenn shook his head.
*Everything you did after you were five years old will have never happened. You'll never join the Air Force, never join the SGC, you'll never take command of the SGC, never meet Riley...*
"Ok, ok, I get the point!" Sharp interrupted. "But I go back, Sam. I won't be responsible causing this war."
"What are you talking about, Glenn?" Sam asked, very confused. It was then Sharp realized that he hadn't explained what Paris and him had found out. He took the next few minutes to explain what they had discovered.
"I see you dilemia, but not going back only makes things worse. In more ways than one," Sam started to explain.
Now it was Sharp's turn to be curious, "you know something we don't?"
*General Scott's backup plan,* she told him. *If they can't stop the replicant or you're prevented from going back, she's going to attempt a coded message to the team that rescued you, twenty-three years ago. It will inform them of the Maldorian's existance and mostly likely trigger event similar to those we're experiencing... with one difference. If you don't go back, it won't just be you that we'll be without. You're Robin's father, Glenn and she won't exist either unless you go back.*
Sharp hadn't thought about that. Neither the possibility of a contingency plan or the fact that he would condemn his daughter to oblivion. He sighed again before replying, "if we stop the transmission... then the life of one man..." Sharp paused and then cringed as he continued, "or his daughter... they don't amount to the lives we'd be saving."
Paris stood dumbfounded. "How can you say that?!" she finally exclaimed. "Can't you just go back and not say anything?!"
"Oh sure," Sharp began, sarcastically, "I'll just keep my mouth shut knowing that one wrong word and I could damn us all to hell!"
*Will the both of you calm down and think about this rationally for a minute?* Sam called over the comm. Sharp and Paris both just stared at each other for a few moments before turning back to the comm.
"So I can't go back and I can't stay. Any other bright ideas?" Sharp asked anyone brave enough to answer.
*Personally, Glenn, I think Paris has a point. I mean you can't outright warn the SGC, but if you went back and worked yourself to get them prepared...*
"Sam, you know as well as I do that I'll be immediately debriefed when I get back there. Are you suggesting I lie to a superior officer?" There was silence both on the comm and in the room. "I have to do what's right to save as many lives as I can. The risk is too great to go back. I'm sure Robin would agree with me if she had this decision to make."
"I'm not going to let you do this, Glenn," Paris challenged.
"For crying out loud! Between you and Robin, it's Riley and Chrislyn all over again!"
"I'll take that as a compliment and I'm sure Robin will too. Now, we have a job to do, Glenn, and that includes sending you back to your own time," she announced.
*She's right, Glenn. Regardless of what else you decide to do, we have to send you back. We have no idea what the ramifications will be if we don't.*
"And what if nothing changes?" Sharp needed to know.
*Then we do this all over again until we get it right, Glenn. At least this way we know we'll get another shot if we fail.*
Sharp looked back and forth between the two determined women. He had to admit, he wanted to go home so bad... but that would mean he'd has a secret he'd have to keep for the rest of his life. From everyone. Not only the military, but Riley, Chrislyn and his friends. He couldn't tell them about Robin or Paris and the strong women they would become. Or that they'd even be born. He'd always be closed off in some way to them. But what else could he do? "I still don't like this... but... I'll do it. Unless I can come up with a better way between now and then, understood?" They both nodded. "There is one more thing... You have to tell Robin everything, Sam. And she has to agree as well. This affects her just as much as it effects me. She had to understand the risks." Sam nodded one more time, before signing off the comm. Shrap turned to Paris, "I hope we're doing the right thing, Paris."
"If you're anything like mom described you, then I know I can trust you to do the right thing," she smiled.
Sharp gave her a puzzled look, "I thought you said Riley and Chrislyn didn't talk about me after I disappeared?"
"They didn't talk about Glenn Sharp, but they did tell us both about a very special man they both missed and who meant a lot to them. I'm sure they meant you."
Sharp cleared his throat uncomfortably at the complicment, "Come on... we have work to do."
Paris smiled and followed him out of the room.
****Foxstar Briefing Room, (An hour later)****
"And Glenn's agreed to go back?"
"Only if you agree as well," Sam explained to the Foxstar Captain.
"I'm here trying to do that right now. Why wouldn't I agree?" Robin asked.
"Because the stakes have changed. And because there is a chance you could feel the same way as Glenn. That sacraficing yourselves is the best way." Robin turned away from her. "Don't even think about it. You know that none of us are going to let you do that. I mean, forget all the timeline distortions and space-time ramifications, we're not going to just let you disappear from existance."
"I don't recall it being your decision, Sam."
"Maybe not, but don't expect us to sit idly by and do nothing while you and Glenn throw your lives away, especially when you don't know the outcome. You know better then him, what it could mean if you do this."
"Don't lecture me about consequences, Sam," Robin scowled. "I know a hell of a lot more about consequences then you ever will. This war took my mother, both my father and my adoptive father, my husband, Aunt Chrislyn and so many other people I care about I don't have the time or the strenght to name them all."
Sam stood up and walked up to her, "I think I know more than you think. I was there when Chrislyn died and then I was stranded on a deserted planet for ten years left to wonder if my friends and family were dead or alive, so don't /you/ lecture /me/."
Both women stood in silence while their words sunk in. At last Robin broke the silence, "what do we need to do?"
Sam looked over to her, "we need to make sure General Scott does not send that transmission and stop the replicant. Other than that, it's up to Glenn."
"Get me Captain Jackson on the comm. We need to talk."
****SGC Base, (Meanwhile)****
"So... what's the first thing you're gonna do when you get back?" Paris asked him.
"I really hadn't thought about it to be honest," he admitted.
"You and Riley gonna spend some time together?"
"I would hope so," he smiled. Then the smile faded.
"What's wrong?" Paris questioned, seeing the frown on his face.
"Nothing... just... I just can't wait to see her, but at the same time... I can't tell her about any of this."
"One day you will. And when you do, she'll understand, Glenn," she assured him.
"Maybe," he sighed. "I think I'm all set to go here."
Paris looked over the checklist one more time. She tripled checked the coordinates and the timing that would need to be perfect for his arrival, as well as when he entered the time inversion wave. All the equipment they would need to monitor the wave was also ready. It needed to be in the correct position in order to undo the effects that brought Sharp there. "I think you're right, Glenn," she grinned. "You ready?"
He sighed again, "as I'll ever be, I guess."
"Don't worry. Sam and Robin know what they're doing. You'll be fine."
"It's not their abilities I'm concerned about," he told her.
"Just trust us, Glenn. And trust yourself," she encouraged.
He nodded, "let's do it."
****Foxstar Bridge, (Minutes from P9T-573)****
"Have you been able to raise Captan Jackson yet?" Robin demanded.
"Not yet, Ma'am. He's still observing the radio silence."
"Damn it," she said under her breath. Yes it was true they were under radio silence, but you would think that after constant hails for over three hours he would get the hint. "Try him again," she ordered.
"Captain," another voice said behind her.
"Report," she told the young Lieutanent.
"I've got mutiple sensor reading approaching the planet."
"How long until Glenn is scheduled to come through the gate?" she ordered.
"Two minutes, Ma'am. The science ships are taking up positions behind us to excite the atmopheric particles."
The comm officer suddenly interrupted, "I have Captain Jackson for you, Ma'am."
"About time!" she called. "Let me talk to him."
*This is Jackson.*
"I'm glad you could take time out of your busy schedule, Captain," Robin said sarcastically.
"We were under radio silence, Commander," he responded dead pan.
Robin rolled her eyes, "we can argue about this later. We have some more important to talk about. We can't send the General's transmission."
Jackson gave Robin a look of disbelef, "Commander, I don't understand."
"Just listen for a second, and I'll explain," she assured him. After a few moments, Robin concluded and waited for Jackson's responce.
"I'm sorry, Commander, but I don't see anything that would convince me that we shouldn't send the transmission."
"What are you talking about?!" Robin yelled. "Didn't you listen to a word I said?!"
"I'll present this new information to the General and get back to you in a few minutes," he told her.
"We don't ha..." but Jackson had already terminated the connection. "Get him back! NOW!"
****SGC Base, (Meanwhile)****
The final symbol was dialed and the gate opened in a brilliant blue flash. Sharp grabbed what equipment he could carry and made sure the others behind him were ready. Paris was right behind him carrying another piece of equipment and the two stepped up and through.
****P3T-573****
Sharp looked around the planet that he had left almost two years ago. The one that had stolen his life, but at the same time given him gifts that no man could even dream of having. The chance to see the effect he would have on the future. Now he knew that one man could change things with just a few words, for better or worse. Things would be different now. He would make sure of it.
"Glenn, you need to set that up over there," Paris called. Sharp snapped out of it and did as she asked. He wondered how things were going on out there with Robin, praying things would be ok.
****Foxstar, (Minutes later)****
"How close to firing range?" Robin asked. Before the sensor officer could answer, the ship was rocked by an explosion. "Never mind!" she said frustrated. "Return fire!"
****PFT Abydos, (Meanwhile)****
"Take evasive manuevers! Protect those science ships!" Jackson ordered. The Abydos moved to position itself between the science ship and the Maldorians and took up a defensive stance. "Lock on to the lead ship and fire!" The cannons heated up with laser shot being expended.
"Two direct hits, Sir," the tactical officer reported, but then was oddly silent for a moment. "Sir... I'm registering minimal damage," he said with a sudden fear in his voice.
"That's impossible!" Jackson cried, moving over to see for himself. "We just had new Argos lasers installed!"
"Yes, Sir!" he told him.
"Fire again!" Jackson ordered. The officer did as he was ordered. "Anything?!"
"Minimal damage... Sir, they're returning fire!"
Jackson was knocked to the floor from the explosion. As he was getting up, he saw General Scott step on to the bridge, "Report," she ordered.
"Heavy damage to weapons and propulsion," the tactical officer said.
"They seem to have adapted to our weapons, Ma'am," Jackson reported.
"Has Glenn came through the gate yet?" Danika wanted to know.
Jackson looked to find out, "yes, Ma'am. It looks like they are ready to begin."
"Make sure our radio stays functional. I want to be able to send that transmission as soon as the wave is open," she told him.
"Ma'am, we need to talk about for a moment... in private?"
Danika nodded and followed him into the briefing room, but not before Jackson put his XO in charge of the bridge.
****P9T-573****
"I just signaled the lead science ship. They'll start exciting the atomospherical particles in just a few seconds," Paris told Sharp.
"How long until the wave is formed?" Sharp asked.
"If everything goes well, it will be formed in less than ten minutes, but we need to time your entrance into the wave so you'll return to your time at almost the instant you left," Paris explained.
"What happens if I'm early or late?" Sharp wondered.
Paris looked up at him, "we don't know actually, but we'd rather not take any chances."
"Me neither," Sharp agreed. He turned his eyes to the sky as the sky began to become very tormented. Then, in the middle of it all, a bright flash that appeared to originate from high above the planet. "Did you see that?"
"See what?" Paris asked curiously.
"Never mind," Sharp said, worriedly. "Just be ready for some company and hope I'm wrong."
****Foxstar****
"What the hell was that?!" Robin demanded to know.
"Some time of shuttle, Ma'am," the sensor officer reported.
"The replicant!" Robin realized. "Can we stop it?"
"No, Ma'am. It out of weapons range and it's already entering the atmosphere."
Another blast rocked the Foxstar knocked Robin to the floor. After helping herself back up, she ordered, "get me Jackson!"
****TFC Abydos, (A few minutes later)****
Jackson and his bridge crew scrambled to come up with a way to penetrate the new armor on the Maldorian ships. Meanwhile, Danika and Robin 'discussed' their next move, all the while, both ships took more and more punishment.
"You're asking me to abandon our only backup plan based on a thoery neither one of you can prove," Danika argued. "Now I trust Glenn and he's a good friend, but this is bigger than just him. I can't take the risk that he's wrong. There are too many people at stake."
*I understand what we're asking, General, but there are just as many people at stake if we're right,* Robin retorted.
"I'm sorry, Commander," Dani said sincerely. "The risk is too great. Scott out." And with that the transmission ended just as the ship rocked from another explosion. Dani braced herself against the comm station. She took a long deep breath. "Get ready to send that transmission the minute that wave forms," she ordered.
***P9T-573***
The shuttle landed and Sharp waited for who or whatever was inside to exit. Paris was crouched behind him in the brush, being as quiet as she could. The doors opened and a man that looked, walked and scowled exactly like Sharp disembarked. The replicant took a few steps forward before he spotted the real Glenn Sharp moving toward him. It smiled and the two converged within arm's reach.
The two circled each other for a few moments before Glenn threw the first punch, a left hook. Almost as if he was expecting it, the replicant blocked the punch and delivered a jab to the face, knocking Sharp back on his heels. It was quickly followed by a spin kick to the head, knocking Sharp to the ground. As the replicant moved in to deliver another blow, however, Sharp rolled clear and to his feet.
With a suddenly swiftness, Sharp caught the next punch headed for his face and twisted it's arm before bringing his arm down hard on it's elbow. The loud snap that ensued didn't even seem to phase the replicant, who pulled his arm free and landed a strike to Sharp's abdomen.
Sharp lost his breath for a moment from the force of the blow, but recovered to dodge the scissor kick that followed. He was amazed at how much a complete copy this thing was. It was like it was inside his head, seeing his thoughts. Of course that worked both ways.
They were both too involved with each other to see the lightning strike behind them.
****Foxstar****
"Ma'am! We have confirmation that a time inversion wave has been formed," one of the bridge officers informed her.
Before Robin could answer, another explosion rocked the Foxstar. That tactical officer reported grim news. "We've lost our hyperdrive capability! Damage teams have been dispatched."
"Hold our position!" Robin ordered. "We need to buy Glenn a few more minutes!" The ship jolted again and beam in the ceiling broke free and came crashing down around the bridge. "Damage report!" But the bridge was silent. "I said, damage report!"
The sensor officer got up off the floor and checked the pulse of the tactical officer, "Lt. Fleming is dead, Ma'am." He then got up and checked the damaged tactical display. "Decks four through six have breeches. Damage teams are sealing them. We've taken damage to all primary systems. We've lost computer weapons lock."
Things were bad. Very bad. Without hyperdrive to escape and their weapons ineffective, they were sitting ducks. Robin ran up and relieved the sensor operator at tactical. If they were going down, she wanted her hand on the trigger... just like her mother did.
****TFC Abydos****
"We're ready to send, Ma'am, on your order," the comm officer reported. Dani hesitated. If she was right, sending this message could possibly end this war before it started, giving the human race a chance to survive. But if Glenn was right, she'd be dooming them to continue the cycle of causality and twenty-three years after the message was recieved, she might just find herself in the same position.
"Ma'am," the comm officer repeated. "Awaiting your orders."
"What's happening on the planet?" she finally asked.
The sensor operator reported promptly, "the wave is formed and is moving toward Captain Sharp..." Then he paused for a moment. "Both of them, Ma'am."
That caught Dani's attention, "the replicant?"
"It looks that way, Ma'am," he responded.
Captain Jackson interjected, "if he enters that rift instead of Captain Sharp..."
"I am well aware, Captain," Dani assured him. Everyone on the bridge waited for the order they knew was coming. The transmission had to be sent. The crew held their collective breaths.
***P9T-573***
The two Glenns traded punches to the head and staggered back. The storm swelled behind them, finally enough to where they both noticed. It was do or die time. The winner would hold the fate of their side in his hands. Glenn threw a round house kick that the replicant caught, but Sharp smiled as that's exactly what he expected. As he fell to the ground, he twisted his body to swing his left leg, landing it on the side of the replicant's head.
The replicant hit the ground hard and Glenn bounced up to take advantage. As the replicant got up, Glenn applied a choke hold in an attempt to incapacitate him and finish him off. The replicant struggled hard, getting in several shot to Glenn's gut and chest with his elbow. Sharp held tough, however. His thought of his wife, his daughter, his friends made the pain melt away.
In the bushes, Paris watched the fight, feeling so helpless. Then suddenly something horrible occured to her. The timing for this had to be perfect. If Sharp was too early or too late, he could be thrown even farther out of sync with his time. But what could she do? She didn't have any weapons and if she got involved in the fight, it could make things worse.
The hits intensified at first, but then slowed and got weaker. Sharp's hold got tighter, cutting off the air flow as he did so. Then with a quick jerk, the replicant's neck was broken and it was all over.
Sharp let the lifeless corpse fall to the ground. He had little time. Suddenly he saw Paris come out of hiding, "Glenn you have to go now!"
Sharp got the hint and made a mad dash for the wave behind him. As he did, Paris finally thought to look at the time read out on the portable console they'd brought along. Glenn was still too far away as the countdown hit zero.
***Foxstar***
The bridge was a mess and most of the crew were dead. Robin's tenure at tactical had been a successful one so far. She'd managed to keep enough ship occupied that the Abydos was able to pull back and regroup to figure out a way to penetrate the Maldorian armor. Things couldn't get much worse, Robin knew, but then, things got worse.
"Commander! One of the ships is targetting the planet!"
"Where's Glenn?" she yelled back.
"He's not through yet. If we don't do something, he's a sitting duck!"
They had come too far to fail now. Robin knew that no matter what happeded, they weren't getting out of this. She'd lost her mother because she had died to protect her. She summoned all that strength and made the decision. Her father needed her. "Move the ship between us and the planet!"
"Ma'am?!"
"DO IT!" she ordered.
***TFC Abydos***
"Ma'am, it now or never!" the comm officer pushed Dani. She took an extra spilt second to consider the situation. The Foxstar was crippled but moving to protect Paris and Glenn, Glenn was now late entering the rift and they were in a hopeless battle. Everything made sense to give the order. Suddenly, however, Jackson came up behind her and she turned to face him.
"Trust him, General," he told her. "I can't tell you why, but you need to trust him."
"Stand down," she ordered, looking right at Jackson.
"Ma'am?" the comm officer said in disbelef.
"You heard me," she said snapping her head back to look at him.
The officer, obviously shocked complyed.
***P9T-573***
Paris watched as the timer reached two minutes past the scheduled entrance time. She remembered when she asked Sam what could happen if he didn't enter at the right time and Sam had to admit she didn't really know. Paris only hoped the time difference was small enough so things would not turn disasterous. And Paris prayed.
The Abydos ordered the retreat.
The Foxstar braced for impact.
The Maldorian battleship fired at the planet.
And Glenn at last lept into the rift.
***The rift***
Sharp picked himself off the ground and looked around into the blackness that surrounded him. Where was he now?!
"Welcome back," a raspy voice said. Sharp turned to see an old man come out of the darkness.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"You don't remember me?" the man smiled. "But then again, you're not supposed to. If you did, that could cause some interesting consequences."
"Start talking old man," Sharp shot back. Too much was at stake to be pussyfooting around.
"Is that any man to talk to an old man? When you get to be me you won't appreciate it, I guarantee that."
Sharp knew there was something about this man he recognized, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "I... I know you... don't I?"
"You should," the man replied. "I'm you. Fifty years older."
Ordinarily Sharp wouldn't have believed it, but he knew it was true. He recognized him somehow. "We've met before?"
"One your first trip through. You don't remember because all memories of this place are erased when you leave," he explained.
"But that's impossible," Sharp told him. "I was killed a few years after I came back."
"You still don't get it, do you?" the old Sharp chuckled. "In this place, time and space do not exist. Any and all things that can exist, exist here. All things that have and could happen are realized here. I'm you from a place where you lived to be a grouchy old man," he smiled at Glenn's confused expression. "Don't worry. One day you'll understand. At least I think so anyway."
"So you're saying I changed things? I mean, if you're alive then things must have changed right?!"
"Not necessarily," he told him. "You still don't understand. But you don't have to. By the time you leave here you won't remember anyway."
"Don't mess with me old man," Sharp said getting anger. "I need to know! Did I fix things?!"
"Did you fix things?!" the old Sharp said, frustrated by his younger self's arrogance. "Are you so full of yourself to believe that everything that happened was because of you? That one decision that you make or not make can 'fix things' as you put it? Glenn, life and reality can be altered by a single decision, but it can't be control by it. You want to know if you avoid the war, if the SGC survives... and if Riley, Robin, and Chrislyn live. Is that what you want?"
"Yes..." he admitted. "You have to tell me!"
"I can't tell you what I don't know, Glenn. All I know is what happened to me, but that's no guarantee that what will happen. Yes, Glenn you changed things, but it's not as easy as better or worse. Things will change. That is all that can be said. If you save Riley and Chrislyn, if you and Riley have a daughter, if you live to be the old man you see here, is that better? For you, maybe, but what about everyone else. What if do all that, but hundreds or thousands or other die that might have lived?"
"I..."
"You didn't think about that, did you?" he scolded him. "I know, I was you once, remember?"
"I need to know," he practically begged.
The old man slowly looked away, but then relented, "you won't like it."
"I /have/ to know."
The old Sharp took a deep breath, "Chrislyn's disease gets out of control. She dies giving birth to a baby girl. Matthew named her Paris to fulfill her last request. The SGC and earth enter the war between the Maldorian and the Asguard in the year 2035 and their combined forces force a cease fire after only a year of fighting. Riley and I married and had two children, including Robin, who I raised alone after Riley died of cancer."
Sharp stood in shock as he listened. He couldn't believe he could have been so wrong. "So are you saying that no matter what I do, I'll lose them?"
"No, I'm saying that one choice is not enough to protect them. It's a constant struggled to keep what you love. You'll learn this in time," the old Sharp explained. "But for now, it's time for you to go home."
"But there's so much more I need to know!" Sharp argued. "If you told me what happened..."
"You wouldn't remember it when you left and even if you did, knowing the future does not help, Glenn. You of all people should understand that. Now go. You have a life to live and a future to write." With that, the man left as quickly as he had come.
Sharp looked around again. "Wait! How do I get back?" As he said the words, however, a brillant flash of light engulfed him.
***P9T-573, (September 29, 2002)***
Riley held tightly the young Glenn who had fallen unconscious earlier in the day. He was dying and bringing him back to this planet was the only thing they could think of to save him. The answer had to be here.
"Riley, look!" Chrislyn yelled. Riley turned to see the wave form on the horizon. Instinctively she walked toward it. "Riley! Wait!"
The walk turned into a jog and the jog into a run. She saw him! It was Glenn! He was reaching for her. Or... for the boy? She charged the rift, arms streatched out. Sharp took the boy with one hand and Riley's hand with the other. With a love filled pull, Riley freed him from the rift. The boy disappeared, returned to his own time and now, Sharp laid on the ground, unconscious once more.
Riley moved to see if he was ok. "Glenn? Glenn wake up! Talk to me!"
Chrislyn finally caught up to them and joined in seeing if Glenn was ok. "Glenn! Are you ok?"
Sharp slowly opened his eye. "Riley?"
"Glenn," Riley smiled, forgetting all semblence of military professionalism. "Oh my God, you're back! Where have you been the last two days?!"
Two days?! Sharp tried to shake off the cobwebs, "two years... I'm finally home..."
"Two years?" Riley asked.
Sharp looked up at her and smiled., "never mind. Just please, let's go home, Riley."
"Yes, please," Chrislyn agreed.
Riley helped him to his feet. The three made their way back to the gate in silence. There was just so much, that Sharp didn't know where to begin and Riley and Chrislyn, despite all their questions could see he was in no shape to explain. They were just glad to have him back and Glenn was glad to be back.
Somehow, however, he knew in his heart, this was only the beginning. Their future had not yet been written and he wanted to do his part to make it a good one.
Riley dialed home and the three stepped through together... and home.
The End
(An epilouge will follow)
Warnings: Mild Language and Violence
The Road to Hell
Glenn, you don't know that, Paris argued with him.
Sharp look up at Paris, right into her eyes, think about it, Paris. It's the only thing that makes sense. The Maldorians weren't ready to attack for another hundred years, they obviously were forced out of that plan. Why? Because they thought they could take us out one at a time, but when we joined forces with the Asguard, they knew their secret was out. So they stepped up their timeline and they attacked early, which is what caused all of this.
And you're saying if you hadn't told the General about the threat that the alliance wouldn't have happened and they would not have attacked?
At least not for another hundred years or so, he confirmed.
But won't we just be delaying the problem, Glenn? I mean, if we don't know what's coming, it won't matter if it's five years or a hundred years. We'll still be caught completely offguard, Paris argued.
Maybe, maybe not. All I know is that the way things are right now its bad and it can't get much worse. Who knows what will happen in those hundred years. We could make some scientific breakthrough that could turn the tables in our favor, he said, standing and pacing around the room.
"Glenn, what are you planning?" Paris asked, worried by the look on his face.
"I'm not planning anything," he told her, eerily calm. "In fact, I'm not gonna do a damn thing." Sharp slowly sat down and put his feet up on the table.
"I don't like the way you said that," she in a more worried tone.
Sharp stood again. "Threre's one easy way to fix this," he reasoned. "I stay here. If I don't go back, I can't set things in motion."
"Do you have any idea what you're saying?!" Paris exclaimed. "It's not that simple, Glenn."
"Why isn't it?" he said in fit of frustration. "Tell me why something can't be simple for once!"
Paris stood, walked over to Glenn and stopped his pacing by standing in front of him, "because it's not and you know it."
"No, I don't know," he fired back.
"Do you have any idea what will happen if you don't go back?!" she continued. "I mean there would be massive consequences!"
"Like what? Like impacting the timeline?! That's kinda the point, Paris!"
"But how do you know it will get better, Glenn?" she questioned.
"Look at what's happening around! It can't get much /worse/ here!" he said turning away from her.
"Fine, then I'm getting someone who can explain it to you!" she said moving to the comm panel.
"What are you doing? The ships are under radio silence, Paris."
"Not for me they're not," she smiled and punched up the Foxstar.
*Comm officer*, came the voice.
"Put me through to Dr. Carter please," Paris replied.
Glenn moved over to the comm to shut it off, but Paris swatted his hand away, "are you nuts?! They're on a mission!"
"This is important. Besides, it's /your/ mission," she pointed out.
*Carter here,* Sam answered the comm.
"Sam, I need your help," Paris informed her. "I need you to explain what would happen if Glenn decided not to go back to his own time."
*Please tell me you're kidding,* Sam said with concern in her voice.
"This isn't important right now, Sam. You've just got to stop that replicant from going back," Glenn tried, hoping to end the conversation.
Sam turned her full attention now to the comm and the serious situation that was developing, *Glenn, you have no idea what could happen if... *
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... timeline crap. I'm aware, Sam," he interrupted, rolling his eyes.
*I don't think you are, Glenn,* Sam immediatly responded. *We're not dealing with simple time travel. I told you that. That time disortion is of your entire life. If you don't go back, the effects will be greater than just the events after you went back.*
"I don't see how," Sharp admitted.
*Remember how General Scott told you that your younger self replaced you in your time? Well that means he's going through the same effects and unless we send both of you back to where you belong, he'll die too. And if he dies, the person that is you and that you are will have never have existed after five years old.*
"One more time, Sam and this time in English," Glenn shook his head.
*Everything you did after you were five years old will have never happened. You'll never join the Air Force, never join the SGC, you'll never take command of the SGC, never meet Riley...*
"Ok, ok, I get the point!" Sharp interrupted. "But I go back, Sam. I won't be responsible causing this war."
"What are you talking about, Glenn?" Sam asked, very confused. It was then Sharp realized that he hadn't explained what Paris and him had found out. He took the next few minutes to explain what they had discovered.
"I see you dilemia, but not going back only makes things worse. In more ways than one," Sam started to explain.
Now it was Sharp's turn to be curious, "you know something we don't?"
*General Scott's backup plan,* she told him. *If they can't stop the replicant or you're prevented from going back, she's going to attempt a coded message to the team that rescued you, twenty-three years ago. It will inform them of the Maldorian's existance and mostly likely trigger event similar to those we're experiencing... with one difference. If you don't go back, it won't just be you that we'll be without. You're Robin's father, Glenn and she won't exist either unless you go back.*
Sharp hadn't thought about that. Neither the possibility of a contingency plan or the fact that he would condemn his daughter to oblivion. He sighed again before replying, "if we stop the transmission... then the life of one man..." Sharp paused and then cringed as he continued, "or his daughter... they don't amount to the lives we'd be saving."
Paris stood dumbfounded. "How can you say that?!" she finally exclaimed. "Can't you just go back and not say anything?!"
"Oh sure," Sharp began, sarcastically, "I'll just keep my mouth shut knowing that one wrong word and I could damn us all to hell!"
*Will the both of you calm down and think about this rationally for a minute?* Sam called over the comm. Sharp and Paris both just stared at each other for a few moments before turning back to the comm.
"So I can't go back and I can't stay. Any other bright ideas?" Sharp asked anyone brave enough to answer.
*Personally, Glenn, I think Paris has a point. I mean you can't outright warn the SGC, but if you went back and worked yourself to get them prepared...*
"Sam, you know as well as I do that I'll be immediately debriefed when I get back there. Are you suggesting I lie to a superior officer?" There was silence both on the comm and in the room. "I have to do what's right to save as many lives as I can. The risk is too great to go back. I'm sure Robin would agree with me if she had this decision to make."
"I'm not going to let you do this, Glenn," Paris challenged.
"For crying out loud! Between you and Robin, it's Riley and Chrislyn all over again!"
"I'll take that as a compliment and I'm sure Robin will too. Now, we have a job to do, Glenn, and that includes sending you back to your own time," she announced.
*She's right, Glenn. Regardless of what else you decide to do, we have to send you back. We have no idea what the ramifications will be if we don't.*
"And what if nothing changes?" Sharp needed to know.
*Then we do this all over again until we get it right, Glenn. At least this way we know we'll get another shot if we fail.*
Sharp looked back and forth between the two determined women. He had to admit, he wanted to go home so bad... but that would mean he'd has a secret he'd have to keep for the rest of his life. From everyone. Not only the military, but Riley, Chrislyn and his friends. He couldn't tell them about Robin or Paris and the strong women they would become. Or that they'd even be born. He'd always be closed off in some way to them. But what else could he do? "I still don't like this... but... I'll do it. Unless I can come up with a better way between now and then, understood?" They both nodded. "There is one more thing... You have to tell Robin everything, Sam. And she has to agree as well. This affects her just as much as it effects me. She had to understand the risks." Sam nodded one more time, before signing off the comm. Shrap turned to Paris, "I hope we're doing the right thing, Paris."
"If you're anything like mom described you, then I know I can trust you to do the right thing," she smiled.
Sharp gave her a puzzled look, "I thought you said Riley and Chrislyn didn't talk about me after I disappeared?"
"They didn't talk about Glenn Sharp, but they did tell us both about a very special man they both missed and who meant a lot to them. I'm sure they meant you."
Sharp cleared his throat uncomfortably at the complicment, "Come on... we have work to do."
Paris smiled and followed him out of the room.
****Foxstar Briefing Room, (An hour later)****
"And Glenn's agreed to go back?"
"Only if you agree as well," Sam explained to the Foxstar Captain.
"I'm here trying to do that right now. Why wouldn't I agree?" Robin asked.
"Because the stakes have changed. And because there is a chance you could feel the same way as Glenn. That sacraficing yourselves is the best way." Robin turned away from her. "Don't even think about it. You know that none of us are going to let you do that. I mean, forget all the timeline distortions and space-time ramifications, we're not going to just let you disappear from existance."
"I don't recall it being your decision, Sam."
"Maybe not, but don't expect us to sit idly by and do nothing while you and Glenn throw your lives away, especially when you don't know the outcome. You know better then him, what it could mean if you do this."
"Don't lecture me about consequences, Sam," Robin scowled. "I know a hell of a lot more about consequences then you ever will. This war took my mother, both my father and my adoptive father, my husband, Aunt Chrislyn and so many other people I care about I don't have the time or the strenght to name them all."
Sam stood up and walked up to her, "I think I know more than you think. I was there when Chrislyn died and then I was stranded on a deserted planet for ten years left to wonder if my friends and family were dead or alive, so don't /you/ lecture /me/."
Both women stood in silence while their words sunk in. At last Robin broke the silence, "what do we need to do?"
Sam looked over to her, "we need to make sure General Scott does not send that transmission and stop the replicant. Other than that, it's up to Glenn."
"Get me Captain Jackson on the comm. We need to talk."
****SGC Base, (Meanwhile)****
"So... what's the first thing you're gonna do when you get back?" Paris asked him.
"I really hadn't thought about it to be honest," he admitted.
"You and Riley gonna spend some time together?"
"I would hope so," he smiled. Then the smile faded.
"What's wrong?" Paris questioned, seeing the frown on his face.
"Nothing... just... I just can't wait to see her, but at the same time... I can't tell her about any of this."
"One day you will. And when you do, she'll understand, Glenn," she assured him.
"Maybe," he sighed. "I think I'm all set to go here."
Paris looked over the checklist one more time. She tripled checked the coordinates and the timing that would need to be perfect for his arrival, as well as when he entered the time inversion wave. All the equipment they would need to monitor the wave was also ready. It needed to be in the correct position in order to undo the effects that brought Sharp there. "I think you're right, Glenn," she grinned. "You ready?"
He sighed again, "as I'll ever be, I guess."
"Don't worry. Sam and Robin know what they're doing. You'll be fine."
"It's not their abilities I'm concerned about," he told her.
"Just trust us, Glenn. And trust yourself," she encouraged.
He nodded, "let's do it."
****Foxstar Bridge, (Minutes from P9T-573)****
"Have you been able to raise Captan Jackson yet?" Robin demanded.
"Not yet, Ma'am. He's still observing the radio silence."
"Damn it," she said under her breath. Yes it was true they were under radio silence, but you would think that after constant hails for over three hours he would get the hint. "Try him again," she ordered.
"Captain," another voice said behind her.
"Report," she told the young Lieutanent.
"I've got mutiple sensor reading approaching the planet."
"How long until Glenn is scheduled to come through the gate?" she ordered.
"Two minutes, Ma'am. The science ships are taking up positions behind us to excite the atmopheric particles."
The comm officer suddenly interrupted, "I have Captain Jackson for you, Ma'am."
"About time!" she called. "Let me talk to him."
*This is Jackson.*
"I'm glad you could take time out of your busy schedule, Captain," Robin said sarcastically.
"We were under radio silence, Commander," he responded dead pan.
Robin rolled her eyes, "we can argue about this later. We have some more important to talk about. We can't send the General's transmission."
Jackson gave Robin a look of disbelef, "Commander, I don't understand."
"Just listen for a second, and I'll explain," she assured him. After a few moments, Robin concluded and waited for Jackson's responce.
"I'm sorry, Commander, but I don't see anything that would convince me that we shouldn't send the transmission."
"What are you talking about?!" Robin yelled. "Didn't you listen to a word I said?!"
"I'll present this new information to the General and get back to you in a few minutes," he told her.
"We don't ha..." but Jackson had already terminated the connection. "Get him back! NOW!"
****SGC Base, (Meanwhile)****
The final symbol was dialed and the gate opened in a brilliant blue flash. Sharp grabbed what equipment he could carry and made sure the others behind him were ready. Paris was right behind him carrying another piece of equipment and the two stepped up and through.
****P3T-573****
Sharp looked around the planet that he had left almost two years ago. The one that had stolen his life, but at the same time given him gifts that no man could even dream of having. The chance to see the effect he would have on the future. Now he knew that one man could change things with just a few words, for better or worse. Things would be different now. He would make sure of it.
"Glenn, you need to set that up over there," Paris called. Sharp snapped out of it and did as she asked. He wondered how things were going on out there with Robin, praying things would be ok.
****Foxstar, (Minutes later)****
"How close to firing range?" Robin asked. Before the sensor officer could answer, the ship was rocked by an explosion. "Never mind!" she said frustrated. "Return fire!"
****PFT Abydos, (Meanwhile)****
"Take evasive manuevers! Protect those science ships!" Jackson ordered. The Abydos moved to position itself between the science ship and the Maldorians and took up a defensive stance. "Lock on to the lead ship and fire!" The cannons heated up with laser shot being expended.
"Two direct hits, Sir," the tactical officer reported, but then was oddly silent for a moment. "Sir... I'm registering minimal damage," he said with a sudden fear in his voice.
"That's impossible!" Jackson cried, moving over to see for himself. "We just had new Argos lasers installed!"
"Yes, Sir!" he told him.
"Fire again!" Jackson ordered. The officer did as he was ordered. "Anything?!"
"Minimal damage... Sir, they're returning fire!"
Jackson was knocked to the floor from the explosion. As he was getting up, he saw General Scott step on to the bridge, "Report," she ordered.
"Heavy damage to weapons and propulsion," the tactical officer said.
"They seem to have adapted to our weapons, Ma'am," Jackson reported.
"Has Glenn came through the gate yet?" Danika wanted to know.
Jackson looked to find out, "yes, Ma'am. It looks like they are ready to begin."
"Make sure our radio stays functional. I want to be able to send that transmission as soon as the wave is open," she told him.
"Ma'am, we need to talk about for a moment... in private?"
Danika nodded and followed him into the briefing room, but not before Jackson put his XO in charge of the bridge.
****P9T-573****
"I just signaled the lead science ship. They'll start exciting the atomospherical particles in just a few seconds," Paris told Sharp.
"How long until the wave is formed?" Sharp asked.
"If everything goes well, it will be formed in less than ten minutes, but we need to time your entrance into the wave so you'll return to your time at almost the instant you left," Paris explained.
"What happens if I'm early or late?" Sharp wondered.
Paris looked up at him, "we don't know actually, but we'd rather not take any chances."
"Me neither," Sharp agreed. He turned his eyes to the sky as the sky began to become very tormented. Then, in the middle of it all, a bright flash that appeared to originate from high above the planet. "Did you see that?"
"See what?" Paris asked curiously.
"Never mind," Sharp said, worriedly. "Just be ready for some company and hope I'm wrong."
****Foxstar****
"What the hell was that?!" Robin demanded to know.
"Some time of shuttle, Ma'am," the sensor officer reported.
"The replicant!" Robin realized. "Can we stop it?"
"No, Ma'am. It out of weapons range and it's already entering the atmosphere."
Another blast rocked the Foxstar knocked Robin to the floor. After helping herself back up, she ordered, "get me Jackson!"
****TFC Abydos, (A few minutes later)****
Jackson and his bridge crew scrambled to come up with a way to penetrate the new armor on the Maldorian ships. Meanwhile, Danika and Robin 'discussed' their next move, all the while, both ships took more and more punishment.
"You're asking me to abandon our only backup plan based on a thoery neither one of you can prove," Danika argued. "Now I trust Glenn and he's a good friend, but this is bigger than just him. I can't take the risk that he's wrong. There are too many people at stake."
*I understand what we're asking, General, but there are just as many people at stake if we're right,* Robin retorted.
"I'm sorry, Commander," Dani said sincerely. "The risk is too great. Scott out." And with that the transmission ended just as the ship rocked from another explosion. Dani braced herself against the comm station. She took a long deep breath. "Get ready to send that transmission the minute that wave forms," she ordered.
***P9T-573***
The shuttle landed and Sharp waited for who or whatever was inside to exit. Paris was crouched behind him in the brush, being as quiet as she could. The doors opened and a man that looked, walked and scowled exactly like Sharp disembarked. The replicant took a few steps forward before he spotted the real Glenn Sharp moving toward him. It smiled and the two converged within arm's reach.
The two circled each other for a few moments before Glenn threw the first punch, a left hook. Almost as if he was expecting it, the replicant blocked the punch and delivered a jab to the face, knocking Sharp back on his heels. It was quickly followed by a spin kick to the head, knocking Sharp to the ground. As the replicant moved in to deliver another blow, however, Sharp rolled clear and to his feet.
With a suddenly swiftness, Sharp caught the next punch headed for his face and twisted it's arm before bringing his arm down hard on it's elbow. The loud snap that ensued didn't even seem to phase the replicant, who pulled his arm free and landed a strike to Sharp's abdomen.
Sharp lost his breath for a moment from the force of the blow, but recovered to dodge the scissor kick that followed. He was amazed at how much a complete copy this thing was. It was like it was inside his head, seeing his thoughts. Of course that worked both ways.
They were both too involved with each other to see the lightning strike behind them.
****Foxstar****
"Ma'am! We have confirmation that a time inversion wave has been formed," one of the bridge officers informed her.
Before Robin could answer, another explosion rocked the Foxstar. That tactical officer reported grim news. "We've lost our hyperdrive capability! Damage teams have been dispatched."
"Hold our position!" Robin ordered. "We need to buy Glenn a few more minutes!" The ship jolted again and beam in the ceiling broke free and came crashing down around the bridge. "Damage report!" But the bridge was silent. "I said, damage report!"
The sensor officer got up off the floor and checked the pulse of the tactical officer, "Lt. Fleming is dead, Ma'am." He then got up and checked the damaged tactical display. "Decks four through six have breeches. Damage teams are sealing them. We've taken damage to all primary systems. We've lost computer weapons lock."
Things were bad. Very bad. Without hyperdrive to escape and their weapons ineffective, they were sitting ducks. Robin ran up and relieved the sensor operator at tactical. If they were going down, she wanted her hand on the trigger... just like her mother did.
****TFC Abydos****
"We're ready to send, Ma'am, on your order," the comm officer reported. Dani hesitated. If she was right, sending this message could possibly end this war before it started, giving the human race a chance to survive. But if Glenn was right, she'd be dooming them to continue the cycle of causality and twenty-three years after the message was recieved, she might just find herself in the same position.
"Ma'am," the comm officer repeated. "Awaiting your orders."
"What's happening on the planet?" she finally asked.
The sensor operator reported promptly, "the wave is formed and is moving toward Captain Sharp..." Then he paused for a moment. "Both of them, Ma'am."
That caught Dani's attention, "the replicant?"
"It looks that way, Ma'am," he responded.
Captain Jackson interjected, "if he enters that rift instead of Captain Sharp..."
"I am well aware, Captain," Dani assured him. Everyone on the bridge waited for the order they knew was coming. The transmission had to be sent. The crew held their collective breaths.
***P9T-573***
The two Glenns traded punches to the head and staggered back. The storm swelled behind them, finally enough to where they both noticed. It was do or die time. The winner would hold the fate of their side in his hands. Glenn threw a round house kick that the replicant caught, but Sharp smiled as that's exactly what he expected. As he fell to the ground, he twisted his body to swing his left leg, landing it on the side of the replicant's head.
The replicant hit the ground hard and Glenn bounced up to take advantage. As the replicant got up, Glenn applied a choke hold in an attempt to incapacitate him and finish him off. The replicant struggled hard, getting in several shot to Glenn's gut and chest with his elbow. Sharp held tough, however. His thought of his wife, his daughter, his friends made the pain melt away.
In the bushes, Paris watched the fight, feeling so helpless. Then suddenly something horrible occured to her. The timing for this had to be perfect. If Sharp was too early or too late, he could be thrown even farther out of sync with his time. But what could she do? She didn't have any weapons and if she got involved in the fight, it could make things worse.
The hits intensified at first, but then slowed and got weaker. Sharp's hold got tighter, cutting off the air flow as he did so. Then with a quick jerk, the replicant's neck was broken and it was all over.
Sharp let the lifeless corpse fall to the ground. He had little time. Suddenly he saw Paris come out of hiding, "Glenn you have to go now!"
Sharp got the hint and made a mad dash for the wave behind him. As he did, Paris finally thought to look at the time read out on the portable console they'd brought along. Glenn was still too far away as the countdown hit zero.
***Foxstar***
The bridge was a mess and most of the crew were dead. Robin's tenure at tactical had been a successful one so far. She'd managed to keep enough ship occupied that the Abydos was able to pull back and regroup to figure out a way to penetrate the Maldorian armor. Things couldn't get much worse, Robin knew, but then, things got worse.
"Commander! One of the ships is targetting the planet!"
"Where's Glenn?" she yelled back.
"He's not through yet. If we don't do something, he's a sitting duck!"
They had come too far to fail now. Robin knew that no matter what happeded, they weren't getting out of this. She'd lost her mother because she had died to protect her. She summoned all that strength and made the decision. Her father needed her. "Move the ship between us and the planet!"
"Ma'am?!"
"DO IT!" she ordered.
***TFC Abydos***
"Ma'am, it now or never!" the comm officer pushed Dani. She took an extra spilt second to consider the situation. The Foxstar was crippled but moving to protect Paris and Glenn, Glenn was now late entering the rift and they were in a hopeless battle. Everything made sense to give the order. Suddenly, however, Jackson came up behind her and she turned to face him.
"Trust him, General," he told her. "I can't tell you why, but you need to trust him."
"Stand down," she ordered, looking right at Jackson.
"Ma'am?" the comm officer said in disbelef.
"You heard me," she said snapping her head back to look at him.
The officer, obviously shocked complyed.
***P9T-573***
Paris watched as the timer reached two minutes past the scheduled entrance time. She remembered when she asked Sam what could happen if he didn't enter at the right time and Sam had to admit she didn't really know. Paris only hoped the time difference was small enough so things would not turn disasterous. And Paris prayed.
The Abydos ordered the retreat.
The Foxstar braced for impact.
The Maldorian battleship fired at the planet.
And Glenn at last lept into the rift.
***The rift***
Sharp picked himself off the ground and looked around into the blackness that surrounded him. Where was he now?!
"Welcome back," a raspy voice said. Sharp turned to see an old man come out of the darkness.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"You don't remember me?" the man smiled. "But then again, you're not supposed to. If you did, that could cause some interesting consequences."
"Start talking old man," Sharp shot back. Too much was at stake to be pussyfooting around.
"Is that any man to talk to an old man? When you get to be me you won't appreciate it, I guarantee that."
Sharp knew there was something about this man he recognized, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "I... I know you... don't I?"
"You should," the man replied. "I'm you. Fifty years older."
Ordinarily Sharp wouldn't have believed it, but he knew it was true. He recognized him somehow. "We've met before?"
"One your first trip through. You don't remember because all memories of this place are erased when you leave," he explained.
"But that's impossible," Sharp told him. "I was killed a few years after I came back."
"You still don't get it, do you?" the old Sharp chuckled. "In this place, time and space do not exist. Any and all things that can exist, exist here. All things that have and could happen are realized here. I'm you from a place where you lived to be a grouchy old man," he smiled at Glenn's confused expression. "Don't worry. One day you'll understand. At least I think so anyway."
"So you're saying I changed things? I mean, if you're alive then things must have changed right?!"
"Not necessarily," he told him. "You still don't understand. But you don't have to. By the time you leave here you won't remember anyway."
"Don't mess with me old man," Sharp said getting anger. "I need to know! Did I fix things?!"
"Did you fix things?!" the old Sharp said, frustrated by his younger self's arrogance. "Are you so full of yourself to believe that everything that happened was because of you? That one decision that you make or not make can 'fix things' as you put it? Glenn, life and reality can be altered by a single decision, but it can't be control by it. You want to know if you avoid the war, if the SGC survives... and if Riley, Robin, and Chrislyn live. Is that what you want?"
"Yes..." he admitted. "You have to tell me!"
"I can't tell you what I don't know, Glenn. All I know is what happened to me, but that's no guarantee that what will happen. Yes, Glenn you changed things, but it's not as easy as better or worse. Things will change. That is all that can be said. If you save Riley and Chrislyn, if you and Riley have a daughter, if you live to be the old man you see here, is that better? For you, maybe, but what about everyone else. What if do all that, but hundreds or thousands or other die that might have lived?"
"I..."
"You didn't think about that, did you?" he scolded him. "I know, I was you once, remember?"
"I need to know," he practically begged.
The old man slowly looked away, but then relented, "you won't like it."
"I /have/ to know."
The old Sharp took a deep breath, "Chrislyn's disease gets out of control. She dies giving birth to a baby girl. Matthew named her Paris to fulfill her last request. The SGC and earth enter the war between the Maldorian and the Asguard in the year 2035 and their combined forces force a cease fire after only a year of fighting. Riley and I married and had two children, including Robin, who I raised alone after Riley died of cancer."
Sharp stood in shock as he listened. He couldn't believe he could have been so wrong. "So are you saying that no matter what I do, I'll lose them?"
"No, I'm saying that one choice is not enough to protect them. It's a constant struggled to keep what you love. You'll learn this in time," the old Sharp explained. "But for now, it's time for you to go home."
"But there's so much more I need to know!" Sharp argued. "If you told me what happened..."
"You wouldn't remember it when you left and even if you did, knowing the future does not help, Glenn. You of all people should understand that. Now go. You have a life to live and a future to write." With that, the man left as quickly as he had come.
Sharp looked around again. "Wait! How do I get back?" As he said the words, however, a brillant flash of light engulfed him.
***P9T-573, (September 29, 2002)***
Riley held tightly the young Glenn who had fallen unconscious earlier in the day. He was dying and bringing him back to this planet was the only thing they could think of to save him. The answer had to be here.
"Riley, look!" Chrislyn yelled. Riley turned to see the wave form on the horizon. Instinctively she walked toward it. "Riley! Wait!"
The walk turned into a jog and the jog into a run. She saw him! It was Glenn! He was reaching for her. Or... for the boy? She charged the rift, arms streatched out. Sharp took the boy with one hand and Riley's hand with the other. With a love filled pull, Riley freed him from the rift. The boy disappeared, returned to his own time and now, Sharp laid on the ground, unconscious once more.
Riley moved to see if he was ok. "Glenn? Glenn wake up! Talk to me!"
Chrislyn finally caught up to them and joined in seeing if Glenn was ok. "Glenn! Are you ok?"
Sharp slowly opened his eye. "Riley?"
"Glenn," Riley smiled, forgetting all semblence of military professionalism. "Oh my God, you're back! Where have you been the last two days?!"
Two days?! Sharp tried to shake off the cobwebs, "two years... I'm finally home..."
"Two years?" Riley asked.
Sharp looked up at her and smiled., "never mind. Just please, let's go home, Riley."
"Yes, please," Chrislyn agreed.
Riley helped him to his feet. The three made their way back to the gate in silence. There was just so much, that Sharp didn't know where to begin and Riley and Chrislyn, despite all their questions could see he was in no shape to explain. They were just glad to have him back and Glenn was glad to be back.
Somehow, however, he knew in his heart, this was only the beginning. Their future had not yet been written and he wanted to do his part to make it a good one.
Riley dialed home and the three stepped through together... and home.
The End
(An epilouge will follow)
