DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

Legacy: Consequences

Part four

Jack was furious. He'd been about to go home - much later than normal thanks to all that had happened that day - when the alarms started going off. On his arrival in the control room he'd been greeted by the sight of Harry Maybourne in the 'gate room, a stop watch in his hand, timing the arrival of the SF's and medics. Before he could say or do anything, the gate started dialling up, the code for SG6 being transmitted. As soon as the team were through and on their way to the infirmary, Jack stormed into the 'gate room and confronted Maybourne, not caring that they were being watched by most of the on-duty personnel.

'Maybourne - what do you think you're doing?' Jack snapped, barely keeping his temper under control. 'Don't you realise we've got six teams off world? And in the middle of the night? We all know what to do, we don't need to demonstrate our readiness just for your benefit.'

'Jack, if you'll just let me explain…'

'Explain what? That you felt the need to show how important you are and can make us jump through the hoop for your own amusement? Do you know what some of us have already been through today? Do you ever think?'

'Jack, please…'

Maybourne was interrupted by the arrival of General Hammond.

'Colonels, that is enough. Colonel Maybourne, would you care to explain why we are conducting a battle drill in the middle of the night without my knowledge?'

'Well…' As Maybourne turned his attention to the General his eyes fell on Alix standing outside the door watching what was going on, his jaw almost visibly dropping to the floor.

Jack's eyes followed Maybourne's, realising that if they didn't already have a problem then they certainly had one now.

'What are you up to?' Jack turned back to Maybourne, suspicion forming in his mind. 'Never mind, you six, with me.' Jack instructed the SF's. 'You two escort Colonel Maybourne to General Hammond's office, I want all other available personnel to search the base to make sure we're not harbouring any more unwelcome guests. I'll be in the infirmary.'

Jack grabbed Alix's arm, hurrying her along with him back to the elevator, glancing briefly at her to check how she was doing, ignoring the looks being thrown his way. As soon as they reached the infirmary, he set the airmen to checking out the area while he kept Alix with him and went straight to Daniel's room. Daniel was still sound asleep, undisturbed by Teal'c dealing with two men who had burst into the room unceremoniously. Teal'c had taken Jack's words seriously and had been watching Daniel sleep so was available to deal with the two intruders who seemed intent on removing Daniel.

'Teal'c, take care of her.' Jack handed Alix over to Teal'c, confident that both Daniel and Alix would be safe in his hands.

Jack moved quietly into the room next door where Alix should have been sleeping, suspecting that Daniel wasn't the only target. He snapped on the light catching a further two intruders by surprise. Making a desperate dash for freedom, they ran straight into two guards heading their way, weapons raised as soon as they saw the intruders before securing them and escorting them to the holding cells.

Jack, after checking on the progress of the search being carried out in the rest of the base and satisfied that there weren't any more surprises lurking, made his way back to Daniel's room. There he found Dr Fraiser kneeling next to Alix, trying to calm her down. Alix was very pale and her eyes were darting around the room as though looking for a way to escape, she was breathing rapidly, her face creased in pain.

'I need some help here,' Janet called out, trying to move Alix into her own room. Jack moved forward to assist, but stepped back again when he saw Alix flinch.

'Where are you taking me?' Alix asked breathlessly, struggling to get air into her lungs.

'I need to get you back to bed,' Dr Fraiser informed her.

'Want to go home,' Alix managed to get out before she went limp, Jack moving quickly forward to support her before she fell off the chair.

'Ok, Teal'c, can you get her back to her own room please,' Dr Fraiser ordered, following him as he carried Alix into the next room and placed her on the bed before withdrawing. After determining that Alix's breathing was returning to normal and administering some painkillers, Janet returned to Daniel's room where Jack and Teal'c were waiting.

'I've left a guard outside her room with strict instructions not to leave unless yourself or General Hammond gives the order,' Janet informed Jack. 'She'll be fine. I've given her some painkillers and a sedative, she should sleep through until morning, as will Daniel. Now, shoo. Haven't you got somewhere else to be?'

***********

They were gathered once more in the briefing room. The night had only ended for them all about an hour ago when Maybourne and his team had been escorted from the premises. Maybourne had refused to disclose what he had been doing there or that he had any involvement with what had happened with Daniel's recent behaviour.

'It's better news all round,' Dr Fraiser reported. 'Daniel has woken this morning and seems more like himself.' Jack had been there when Daniel had been told that he couldn't leave, nor could he have the coffee he'd been demanding, and couldn't believe the number of swear words Daniel knew in so many languages. 'I've isolated the substance he had taken and there was some in his coffee. It seems to be plant based but I've not been able to identify it, and I doubt I ever will as I strongly suspect that it came from off world. What I do know is that it acts like the drug Apophis and Seth both used to influence the mind and actions of individuals, so when Daniel heard that message he reacted to it.'

She paused before continuing. 'I've also discovered that one of Dr McKenzie's medics has apparently disappeared without trace. I would guess that someone took advantage of Daniel's situation while he was incapacitated and decided to trial this drug, see what effects it could have. If Daniel hadn't been released when he was, the chances are he would have attacked Dr McKenzie while he was still in there and it would have been put down to his condition.'

'Maybourne you son-of-a-bitch,' Jack muttered, his eyes taking on a steely glint.

'Colonel, we have no proof that Colonel Maybourne was responsible for administering this drug,' Hammond spoke firmly.

'And Alix?' Jack asked, keeping tight control of his anger. 'How does she fit into all of this?'

'I don't know,' Janet replied, 'Unless they were afraid Daniel said something and wanted to make sure it never got out. I've had to give her another sedative so you won't be able to see her until this afternoon. She's torn the stitches in her shoulder and is still suffering from shock.'

'Thank you doctor, and good work.' Hammond indicated she could leave and turned to SG1. 'Our next problem is deciding what to do about Alix Noble. Colonel, I want you to find out what she knows. We need more information before we can make any kind of decision. Dismissed.'

*********

'Hey,' Jack greeted Daniel, leaning against the door for a moment before entering the room. He stood next to the bed, hands in his pockets as he looked down at the younger man.

'Hey,' Daniel greeted him, refusing to look at him.

'How you doin?'

'Better thanks. Dr Fraiser says I'll be out of here in a day or two.'

Silence fell, an uncomfortable silence. Jack knew Daniel had had a hard time recently but that was all over now and he just wanted to see his friend getting over this whole unfortunate episode.

'So…Want to tell me about it?' Jack asked.

'No.'

Just the one word. No room for discussion, nothing to give Jack any hint as to how Daniel was really doing.

'Mind if I hang around a bit?'

'If you want.'

This was extremely unusual for the normally verbose Dr Jackson. When he was in the infirmary you couldn't stop him from talking when he had visitors. Actually it was difficult to stop him talking at any time. This was not normal and Daniel wouldn't even look at him.

'Want to play gin?' Jack offered instead, figuring that if Daniel didn't want to talk he could at least keep him company and playing cards would help pass the time more easily.

'Not really. Actually, I'm feeling tired. I'm going to get some sleep.' Daniel rolled on to his side, facing away from Jack and closed his eyes. Jack stayed where he was for a few minutes before placing a hand gently on Daniel's shoulder.

'I'm here if you need me, you know,' Jack spoke quietly. 'All you've got to do is ask. Sleep well.'

As soon as he heard the door close, Daniel moved on to his back, staring into space and trying to sort out the confused thoughts rushing through his mind. Vague images and memories kept coming back but none of it really made much sense and pretty soon his eyes slid closed and he fell asleep.

***********

Alix lay still for a few moments after she woke, trying to assess how she felt. She was stiff and uncomfortable, her shoulder had been re-dressed and was secured with a sling to prevent unnecessary movement and her headache had cleared up at last. After that, her thoughts turned to a rather uncomfortable feeling in her bladder.

Getting slowly out of bed she made her way to the door and opened it, alerting the guard outside to her presence.

'I need to use the bathroom,' Alix informed him. The guard pointed her in the right direction and resumed his station.

Allowing herself the luxury of making use of the facilities, she spent ten minutes freshening up before returning to her room. Pushing the door open she moved towards the bed before noticing it was already occupied.

'Can I help you?' Daniel had been surprised to see a strange woman coming into his room.

'Daniel?' she asked.

'Do I know you?' Daniel replied, feeling puzzled. There was something familiar about her.

'We, uh, met, yesterday,' Alix informed him. 'I'm Alix.'

'We did?'

'Yes, you were a little out of things at the time, so you probably don't remember.' Alix turned to leave, but Daniel called her back.

'You're the one from McKenzie's place aren't you?' Daniel frowned, his voice getting quieter as he recalled what had happened. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean…'

Alix moved to the side of the bed and spoke firmly. 'Like I said, you weren't really yourself at the time and no real harm was done. Forget it.'

'I can't, I could have killed you. Are you alright?'

'I will be. My arm will be out of action for a while but it's on the mend and I'm feeling much better. How are you doing?'

'You can't really want to hear the answer to that one,' Daniel said, appalled with his behaviour and how little control he seemed to have over himself. He was a liability.

'Yes, I do actually. There was something about you back there that made me realise that the way you were acting wasn't the real you, that something was making you act like you were crazy. It wasn't you doing all those things, you know.' To give her words more meaning, Alix sat herself on the edge of Daniel's bed, making herself comfortable.

Outside the door, Dr Fraiser stood watching the scene unfolding before her. Jack had informed her of Daniel's reluctance to talk earlier and she had told him to give him time, his system was still off kilter with the after effects of all the drugs he had been given recently.

'My head feels a lot clearer than it did yesterday and things are starting to come back to me. It all seemed very hazy to begin with, but now…' Daniel paused, biting his lower lip then continued. 'I talked, didn't I?' Alix nodded. 'Did I say anything…?'

'Well, it all sounded a bit far fetched at the time, I have to admit, although I really felt you were telling the truth. It's kind of odd, my mind couldn't believe what you were saying but my instincts were telling me something different.' Alix hesitated before jumping in with both feet. 'Why did you call me Sha're?'

She could see Daniel wince and thought she had made a big mistake in bringing the subject up, but then Daniel turned pain filled eyes to her and told her. 'Your hair - it's just like hers. When you were lying there after…after I shot you, I couldn't see your face, just your hair. And I really thought she was in there somewhere, I just wanted to hold her again, just once more. And I felt so bad, that I'd hurt you and that I would never intentionally hurt her, or anyone. I…' Daniel's voice trailed off as he tried to regain control of his emotions. Alix took one of his hands in hers, comforting him. They sat in silence for a while before Daniel continued speaking.

'I felt I let everyone down. I disappeared without telling anyone and threatened that kid with a gun.' A look of disgust crossed Daniel's face. 'But then Dr Fraiser told me I'd been given some kind of drug to make me act like that, like some kind of experiment. They started giving it to me when I was in that place - not Dr McKenzie - someone else who was working for Colonel Maybourne. They wanted to see what effect it could have, how far they could get someone to go.' Daniel shuddered and Alix tightened her grip on his hand.

Jack appeared at that moment, Janet putting out a hand to prevent him from entering.

'What the hell is going on here?' He hissed at the Doctor.

'I'm not sure, but it's got Daniel talking. Stay here for the moment, we can go in if there are any problems, but she already knows more than she should and nothing has been said that could be compromising.'

Jack stared down at the doctor, trying to figure out whether it was worth defying her orders, but just then Daniel started talking again so he decided to join in the little eavesdropping party.

'But then I keep thinking how I let Sha're down - it was my fault that she was taken and if I hadn't been so interested in my newest discovery and left things as they were then we would still be together. But then I would never have met Jack again, or the rest of SG1 who are like my family now. And then I think about how they let me down when I had that thing inside me that made me go crazy and they locked me up. Even when I was better I had to fight to get myself out of there, but although Jack came when I asked for him I can't get rid of the feeling that the trust just isn't there any more.' Daniel stopped talking, pulling his hand away from Alix's and rubbing his eyes, trying to clear his head. 'And I don't want that to happen. Jack is my friend, he's always been there for me, and I'd like to think I've been there for him. I don't want to lose that, I don't know what I'll do if I lose that.'

Alix spoke again her voice very quiet so the two listeners outside had to strain to hear the words.

'Jack's your friend, isn't he?' Daniel nodded. 'I saw his face while he was trying to get you breathing again, it was like he was about to lose something really important and he wasn't going to let that happen. You're friends. A good friendship can survive anything. Don't you think you should try telling him what you just told me?'

Silence fell. Daniel slowly nodded his head.

'You want me to ask someone to find Jack?'

Dr Fraiser, with a warning glance at Jack, who proceeded to make his escape so as not to be caught listening in, decided it was time she broke up this impromptu counselling session.

'There you are, Alix,' she greeted the woman sitting beside Daniel. 'You must have gotten lost. Dr Jackson, I'm afraid I need to return your visitor to her own room. Can I get you anything?'

Smiling to herself, she heard Daniel's request to speak to Jack, before she ushered Alix from the room to get some much needed rest.

To be continued…