Author's Note: Sorry this one's a little late. I was having a problem feeling like getting on the computer the other day. Sorry. But here you go. Again, this chapter might not be the best proof reading job ever but I don't think there's too much in the way of spelling/grammar mistakes.


Again, thank you so much for all the reviews and for everyone who's reading this story.

Summary: As the virus' "safties" are created, will Shayn help Jesse destroy the virus or will he stick with his father and the NID?

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Chapter Sixteen:

Broken Mirror

It was two o'clock, the exact time Shayn had instructed Jesse to meet him in the bathroom. Jesse was there, waiting for Shayn. He assumed that he was just having a hard time getting out of class.

Leaning his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes as he waited for his 'partner in crime'. When the door began to open, Jesse's ears instantly perked and his head shot up from its resting-place. Straightening out, he pretended that he was going to wash his hands.

But, when he saw who it was, he stop mid-stride toward the sink and asked, "What took you so long?"

But Jesse was ignored. Shayn merely brushed off his question by asking his own. "What were you thinking? Sending in an SG team?"

"What? I just told my dad where the virus was. What they did with that information is not my problem. How did you know that, anyway?" Jesse asked, backing up as Shayn approached him, his expression not an all too friendly one.

"I told you not to call you parents."

Jesse stopped his retreat; halting Shayn's progress as well. "No, you never said I couldn't."

"I never said you could," Shayn countered.

"Get over it. I already did it." For several seconds, neither said anything. Then Jesse broke their annoyed silence with, "Did they get it?"

"What?" He asked in an angry stupor.

"The virus? Did they get the virus?" Jesse rephrased.

"No," he answered, absent-mindedly.

"Then that's your job," Jesse informed him in a matter-o-fact tone.

"What?"

"Go there. Get it. Destroy it," Jesse spelled out, his demeanor making it seem as if Shayn were retarded.

"I can't do that," he complained.

"You can and you will. I don't care if you have to burn that damn hospital to the ground," Jesse almost yelled. His eyes burned into Shayn's, daring him to object.

"Hey, Jesse! Mrs. Hall sent me to look for you. What's taking you so long?" Roger, a boy from Jesse's Study Hall, called into the lavatory.

"Just do it," he hissed at Shayn before walking with Roger. Roger, of course, was oblivious, but Shayn… he understood, no matter how afraid he was to comply.

**SGC, Briefing Room**

"I'm afraid we didn't find anything, sir," Jack reported to the General as he and his team, plus Janet, walked into the briefing room. The General just put his hand up to stop Jack's speaking as he strolled from his office. The act alone didn't explain why but the person behind him did.

Jacob Carter/Selmak walked directly behind him. His face was completely neutral, an expression he often wore. "The Tok'ra have some important news," he announced in a more cheerful yet gloomy voice.

Taking his traditional seat, everyone else followed suit. "We believe we have found a… 'vaccine' of sorts to the virus. Rather then what the doctor came up with that only works once a dose, this will, hopefully, work for a prolonged period of time. Long enough to eliminate the Gou'ald and virus," Jacob explained.

"How does it work?" Janet asked, the ever-curious doctor.

"It's all medical mumbo jumbo to me, but I'll give it a try. The virus, as far as we can tell, acts more like the immune system. It sees the symbiote as an intruder, therefore it tries to destroy it. But, with what we've created, we've counter-acted this. You see, the white blood cells, in a sense, label everything as 'good' or 'bad'. The 'vaccine' marks the symbiote as 'good', which, we think, will keep the virus away."

"I see. It's a brilliant idea, but does it work?" Janet asked.

"It has been tested positively but never field tested over extended periods," Jacob answered.

"Who's gotten it?" Sam asked, beating Janet to the question.

"All Tok'ra on base. Only an hour or so ago we sent two doctors to the Alpha Cite to inject the Jaffa. As many Tok'ra that can get out of their missions are being recalled. Those who can't be are having the injection secretly. The same goes for the Jaffa," Jacob explained.

Then Jack asked the question everybody wanted to know but didn't dare asked. "When are you planning on releasing the virus?"

Silence was all that met Jack's question. Jacob didn't know how to answer it. The statistics said a month or so. But how easy was it to say that in about a month you would have to perform a mission that would be the equivalent of dropping hundreds of naquadah enhanced nuclear bombs?

"As soon as everyone that needs a shot gets one." Then, after a pause, he elaborated. "Less than a month."

"That soon, huh?" Jack remarked sarcastically- his way of lightening any mood.

**East Street Hospital**

Shayn's heart pounded in his ears. He had never once defied what his father and the NID did. What he had done, telling Jesse, was a large violation already. Now he had to do something much bigger, something he never would have had the courage to even think of: steal from them.

Slowly but almost surly, he walked down the old abandoned halls. Each time a tile creaked or the walls settled, he flinched inwardly, sometimes outwardly. His breathing was unnaturally quick, no matter his efforts to slow it.

Once his shaky legs made their way to the lab door, he froze. The phrase 'second thought' didn't even begin to describe how he felt at that point. He never wanted to do it in the first place; he didn't even know why he had even talked to Jesse. Now he had to go through with a plan he desperately didn't want to do.

Shifting his backpack, he held it by one of his sweaty hands. With his arm shaking as if it were a hundred below, his trembling fingers grabbed a hold of the cold metal and turned the knob. Hearing it unlocked and open, he pushed discreetly forward inside. Not a soul was in there. The place, usually having one or two people in it, held no one.

Releasing the breath he didn't know he had been holding, Shayn took a tentative step inside. He knew there were no alarms or booby traps plus he had made-up a cover-story just incase someone were to show up.

As quickly as he could, Shayn walked over to the lab table on which many test tubes had been placed. Raising them up, one by one, he looked at each label. After going through the fifteen tubes, he had found nothing. Looking around, he saw only a freezer.

Scurrying across the way, he set down is backpack and pulled open the door before being instantly frozen. Looking the selves over, he found a pair of test tubes. He first tried taking them out with his bear hands but quickly found that it was too cold. Glancing at the table behind him, he found a pair of thick gloves. In a flash, he grabbed them and shoved them onto his hands.

Reaching inside, he picked up the two tubes and closed the freezer door. Shivering from the rush of cold air, he set the tubes onto the table. Using his gloves to scrap off the frost, he read the label marked O'Neill, Jesse; Blood Type: O- but the other had too much frost sticking to it.

The sudden echoing of footfalls caught Shayn by surprise. Picking up his backpack just as his breathing and heart seemed to increase, his trembling hands unzipped the pouch, having more trouble with the gloves on. Grabbing a Styrofoam container from inside, he opened it and hurriedly yet carefully put the tubes into the container.

Tossing it into his backpack, he heard the clicking of the locks and knew he had only a few seconds before whoever it was entered. Pulling off his gloves, he zipped up his pouch and slung it over his shoulder just as the door flew opened.

"What are you doing in here?" The man, dressed in a labcoat, asked him.

"Ah, I was just looking for my dad. I thought I saw him come in here," Shayn lied, giving the man a shrug. Though his insides were rattling so badly he swore he could hear them, his outside was a display of calm.

"Well, he's not. Get out of here. Now!" The man ordered. Shayn just nodded, afraid his voice would betray him if he spoke again. Slipping past the man, Shayn stepped out the door, test tubes and all. With no need to think about it, he walked briskly down the hall and headed for the exit.

**Colorado Springs Middle School**

"Take it," was all Shayn said while shoving a Styrofoam container into Jesse's hands. School had traveled by slowly as Jesse anxiously awaited for the news, but all he got was a unknown container.

"What is it?" Grabbing his shoulder, Jesse managed to stop Shayn before he left.

"Your blood sample… and something else that was right by it. Now let go of me!"

Ignoring his protest, Jesse continued, "You did think to look at what you had gotten, right?"

"They were the only two test tubes in the freezer. All the other tubes were outside and their labels had nothing to do with you," he insisted, fighting against Jesse's tight hold on his shirt.

With an annoyed sigh, Jesse let go of his enemy yet ally. Opening the small container, he saw that, sure enough, there were two tubes in it. One was labeled O'Neill, Jesse; Blood Type: O- and the other was labeled as Gou'ald.

"Thank-you," he called out to Shayn's retreating back. He didn't look up as he said it, assuming Shayn would have kept going. But Shayn surprised him; he stopped.

Quietly and without turning to face Jesse, Shayn informed him, "Just forget about everything. Forget I know. Forget that we ever had these meetings... And forget that I ever helped you. As far as I'm concerned, that virus doesn't exist- never had, never will."

As he went to take the last few steps out of the bathroom, Jesse stopped him again by saying, "You really are your father's boy, aren't you? Or is that just the government NID agent in you?" After only a split second of anger, Shayn acted as if he had never heard Jesse's taunting and walked away.

**SCG, Infirmary**

"Colonel!" Shouted a Sergeant as he jogged toward Jack.

"Yes?" Colonel O'Neill questioned, stopping in front of the Infirmary door.

"You said you wanted to be informed five hours before it's moved," he stated, his wording making it clear that he knew what the Sergeant was talking about.

"Thank-you, Sergeant." With a nod, the Sergeant was on his way.

Just as Jack turned to step into the base hospital, he heard the familiar sound of Jesse's voice inside. Quickening his pace, he arrived with Dr. Fraser and Sam just as Jesse was saying:

"…fers to stay anonymous."

"Who's anonymous? What are you doing here?" Jack asked, startling the clueless trio.

"Jesse managed to get a hold of these… from the NID. And he won't tell us who helped him," Janet explained, holding out her hand, which contained two test tubes.

"Jesse? Who helped you?" Jack asked, sounding like an adult trying to weasel information out of a five-year-old.

His eyes gazing at the ground before he said, "I don't know."

"Jesse," Jack scolded, his voice harsher.

"I'd give up, sir. We've tried everything short of bribery and threats, he won't budge," Sam told him, amazingly meeting his curious gaze.

Agreeing with her intense blue eyes, Jack nodded and turned his attention back to Jesse. For a brief moment, his face was clouded with bewilderment as he inquired, "How did you get here, anyway?"

"Won't tell us that either. He'd make a great agent, one-day. He sure knows how to keep his mouth shut," Janet remarked. Jack glanced over at the amused doctor and knew it was not just the question or many similar answers, but something else only a third party would ever notice.

"Right. Anyhow, Jesse, could you come with me? I want to show you something." The boy nodded as he hopped off the high bed. Walking past his father, he felt his strong hand being placed on the small of his back, as if to lead him, before hearing his father's deep voice say, "We'll be back in a few minutes."

**SGC, Storage Room**

Jesse's eyes glowed with recollection as his mind snapped back to weeks before. He remembered the time he had discovered the truth of his parents' work, was told how his world was to be destroyed, forced to leave his family, home… reality. The day that, within a few hours, reshaped his life and past dramatically.

Taking a few steps away from Jack's protective stance, he wandered closer to the pathetic looking device he had once laughed at but now held a great respect for. Reaching out a cautious hand, he ran it along the course yet smooth texture.

His body still facing the machine, he twisted his neck to see Jack. His eyes watched from a distance, giving Jesse as much space as he wanted. With hands in his pockets, he shrugged and said, "I guess we never got around to bringing it back to Area 51."

Jesse gave a weak smile in return before looking back at the alien device. "I didn't even know you had it here."

"Yeah, well, neither did I. I only found out a day or two ago when they told me it was being shipped out today… in a few hours."

Jesse nodded, trying to take in every detail about the rock slab as he could for he was sure that he would never have the chance again. Before, through his awe, he had seen but not truly noticed and committed to memory anything about it. It was beautiful. The rock seemed more than a rock, like the Stargate. There was something about the purple tint to it and the strange mystery it represented.

When his roaming eyes reached the center of the device, a small, blinking red light caught their attention. Only seconds later, the center was shimmering and activating itself. In shock, he jumped back a bit. Then, carefully, he moved back to where his father stood, equally as curious and alert. He put a hand on Jesse's shoulder and led him back a bit behind himself.

Watching the image, he saw that the device, in that reality, was place in a bland, Army-like setting. At its angle, Jesse couldn't see the controller- only the grey cement backdrop. But, after a moment of breathless anticipation, two figures moved into view. They touched the mirror and appeared, back facing the pair, before they could be identified.

The pair's clothing was little more than rags as it clung to their bodies. Obvious dried blood was scattered over their clothing, if it was theirs or others was unknown to Jesse and Jack as they appeared to have no injuries. The woman's golden hair was mangled- unbrushed and unwashed for days- as was the man's. Yet they stood tall and proud no matter how tired they seemed.

Hidden deep within Jesse's mind, he had already decided that it was his parents. But he would only be convinced of that when they turned around and he could see their faces. Slowly, the couple turned and both Jesse and Jack found themselves face to face with the exact people they both longed and hoped it was yet wished and prayed that it wasn't.

**SGC, Briefing Room**

The world seemed to be swirling around him. Everything was spinning out of control. His mind refused to process anything. He had accepted that his parents were dead; that his world was destroyed, taking everyone with it. But there were his real parents- sitting across the table from him, telling everyone what had happened. He heard the words, but not their meanings.

"We had more time to evacuate than we thought. For some reason, the Ha'tack vessels were delayed, giving us an hour or so to gather as many as we could and send them through to the Gamma Cite," Dr. Carter-O'Neill said, speaking mostly to the General for it was easier to her mind.

"We have our own Ha'tack and Death Glider-like ships. They were able to hold them off for a while, adding an extra… hour or two. But, in the end, they just started to destroy and attack Earth," the other Jack added.

After a pause, he turned to the General and finished with, "You, or rather our you, ordered SG-1- my team- through the 'gate and to the Gamma Cite. Many civilians from Colorado Springs made it through with us. We've counted… 213,527 total living that made it through… the rest are presumed dead."

"Have you made it through to Earth?" Daniel asked, trying not to focus his mind on their shabby and filthy appearance or who they really were but weren't.

"We've tried dialing tons of times but… either the 'gate has been buried or… destroyed," Samantha told him, her voice grave.

Sensing that that was all the two wished to say to the General and company, Hammond told them, "I'll arrange for new clothes, a hot shower, and rooms for you."

"Thank-you, General," the other Jack responded.

"Dismissed." With the General's words, Teal'c rose silently and followed Daniel out of the room. At the same time, Sam and Jack got out of their chairs, uncomfortable around their doubles and Jesse's real parents.

When Jesse went to follow them- a habit he had learned- his mother called out, "Jesse. Could you wait here for a moment? We want to talk to you." Jesse looked questionably at his newfound parents, only returning to his real parents when they gave their approval.

"I didn't think you came just to brief them," Jesse confirmed once he had moved closer to his parents and farther away from… his other parents. So few difference. Hair styles a little different, the scar missing from his real father's eyebrow, dark circles under the one pair's eyes while Jack and Sam had none. But, for the most part, they were identical.

"You're right," his mother agreed.

"I bet after a month here, you'd be used to it… them. As far as you knew, we were dead. It must be hard to see us here," Jack said in a gentle, therapeutic tone. A tone Jesse recalled well.

Slowly his father backed himself into a chair and sat down. His mother did not move from her awkward stance- leaning against the table- while Jesse stayed a yard or two away from them- fidgeting and nervous while being equally as confused.

"Jesse, we want you to come back with us," Jack informed him in a manner closer to being called blunt.

Jesse just froze, uncertain if he had heard correctly. Were they asking him to come home? To leave the place they had sentenced him to? To leave the home he had had to make? To leave the new home he was used to and send him where there were Gou'ald and that he could spread this crazy virus to? To- Why was he questioning it? To go home? To return to those he had though had perished? Why question that?

But he didn't know his answer. Samantha, seeing his indecision, reassured him, "You don't have to make up you mind now. Think about it." She said calmly, though her voice was shaky and hurt with his obvious listlessness to return with them. Without a response, Jesse walked down the stairs in a confused stupor.

**SGC, Base Hallway**

"Hey! Um… Colonel!"

Out of pure habit, Jack turned at the sound of his rank. The fact that it was his own voice sounded weird, but caused him to look either way. Sure enough, it was his newly washed and dressed counterpart being escorted down the hall by an MP. Stopping in the middle of the hall, Jack waited awkwardly for the other Jack to reach him.

"Colonel?" Jack asked, expecting a reason for being called.

"Colonel," he replied, stopping in front of Jack. For a second, it was like meeting the robotic Jack all over again. The same face, voice, build, body, everything.

He suddenly understood what it must have been like for Sam when her other double came with Kawalsky through the mirror. It must have been hard for her to talk and work with herself. When he had kissed- no, no, he couldn't think about that because then he'd think about the other two kisses he had had with the real Sam. No! He had to get those types of thoughts under control and out of his head.

As if all his thought happened within more than the second they had, Jack almost forgot what had triggered them. Focusing back on the other Jack, he noticed that he was looking back at the guard. Jack nodded at him, telling the man to stay put as he began to walk Jesse's real father down the hall a bit.

"So, what did you what to talk to me about? I was just on my way to see Jesse," Jack began, pointing down the hall in the direction he had been heading only minutes ago.

"Yeah, about Jesse. Look, I really am grateful that you've taken care of him for the past few weeks. I really am. But what were you two thinking when you brought him back here?" The other Jack demanded, his voice raising.

"Hey, you're the one who told him about the Stargate and then shipped him here," Jack retorted.

"At least that was to keep him out of danger."

"By not telling him about the virus? Yeah, that helped."

Jack turned to leave. He wasn't going to argue with himself, he knew neither would win. But, it seemed, that Jesse's father wasn't going to have that. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rolling his eyes, Jack spun around to meet his double from Jesse's reality face-to-face. "It means no one knew about it, because of your ingenious plan to protect Jesse."

The other Jack was quite annoyed by his comments, which was plainly shown on his face. "Do you have any idea what could have happened if that virus isn't controlled properly? It-"

"Killed over two hundred Rebel Jaffa. That's what it did. All because we had no idea that he had this very contagious virus," Jack interrupted. "It almost killed Selmak, luckily we found something to help."

For a moment, the other Jack had no idea how to take in what had been said to him. The name Selmak had no meaning to him, but his double said it as if it should. But, before he could analyze it, Jack was already walking away.

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Hmm, Jack fighting Jack, that sounds interesting. Anyway, two more chapters to go! Please R/R and tell me how badly of a proof reading job I did.