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Chapter 4

Déjà vu all over again.

Jack entered the holding facility, keeping his distance as he gazed into Daniel's cell. He shoved his hands into his pocket, feeling Teal'c and General Hammond ease up behind him.

"Jack," Daniel said enthusiastically, hoping off the bed. "Come to get me out of here?"

Jack cleared his throat and exchanged a quick look with Teal'c. "Uh, not exactly."

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked, disappointed. He walked over to the bars that separated him from the others, lacing his long fingers around the rods. "You must have seen the test results by now."

"We did."

Jack rubbed his chin as he stared at Daniel. He looked like Daniel. He talked like Daniel. He acted like Daniel. More so than Carter did when Jolinar took over her. Maybe whatever was in his head hadn't taken control?

Wishful thinking, he thought dejectedly.

"Then, you know I'm not a Goa'uld."

"Listen, quit the crap, will ya?" Jack said irritably. He wasn't going to by into this bull any longer. "The jig is up. You've been found out. So, let's drop the charade."

"I don't understand," Daniel whispered, frowning.

"Who are you and whom do you serve?" Teal'c asked coolly, stepping forward.

"I don't know what you mean," Daniel stated, gripping the bars until his knuckles turned white. "I'm not Goa'uld. Look at the tests! They'll prove it."

"We've seen the tests," Hammond stated, entering the conversation. "You're not making this any easier on yourself."

Daniel laughed, a nervous laugh, as he rested his forehead against the bars. "God, this is a nightmare," he whispered.

"You're telling me," muttered Jack.

"I know. I know you don't believe me, but you just have to trust me. You have to understand," Daniel stated, making his case before them. "I'm not a Goa'uld."

Jack managed to stay serious. "Okay. So you're not a Goa'uld. Then, what are you?"

Daniel opened his mouth, exasperation flooding his face. "Jack! Come on! You know who I am!"

"No, I don't."

"Yes! Yes, you do." He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair as he began to pace in his cell. "I can't believe this is happening. I just can't believe this."

"Believe it," General Hammond said sternly. "Because you are going to be held under guard until we find a way to separate you from Doctor Jackson."

Daniel shook his head, rubbing his arms as he paced. "This is all a mistake. This wasn't supposed to happen."

No shit, Sherlock, Jack thought angrily, swallowing down his frustration.

"What error have you committed?" Teal'c questioned, clasping his hands behind his back.

Daniel just stared at him. "I'm in an alternate reality again. That has to be it."

"'Fraid not," Jack informed him, shoving his hands into his pockets. He could only wish it were some bizarre alternate reality. "So, it would be in your best interest to fess up."

"Jack, please."

"Obviously, we're getting nowhere, General." Jack ignored Daniel, reminding himself that he may not even be talking to his long-time teammate.

"Obviously," the general agreed, his face tight. He turned to Daniel. "So, until you feel like cooperating, you're going to stay in that cell and think long and hard about your current position."

"General, no! Whatever the test results say, they're wrong. You've misread them. Misinterpreted them. Something! I am telling you, I am not a Goa'uld." He lowered his voice. "You have to let me out."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." General Hammond glanced over at Jack. "We'll keep some airmen inside and outside the holding facility. If he's not responsive before then, we'll leave him to the Tok'ra."

"Bad idea, sir."

"Yes," Daniel agreed. "Bad idea. There is nothing wrong with me."

Jack glared at Daniel, struggling with his anger. "Oh, really?" He took a few steps closer to the cell. "Would you like me to show you? I can go get the results right now."

"There is nothing wrong with me."

"Colonel…" Hammond warned.

"Nothing wrong," Jack repeated, knowing he was coming close to losing it. He was sick of this. All of this. Years of fighting the Goa'uld. Years of close calls. Years of watching Daniel die over and over…"Stop it. Stop it, now. I am not playing this little game you sick snakes love so much."

"Excuse me?" Daniel grumbled angrily. "What's the matter with you? I know this looks bad, but I am telling you that I am fine. If I was one of the Goa'uld, wouldn't I have hurt someone by now?"

"I don't know. Would you?" Jack glared at him darkly. "We have a bunch of people unconscious in our infirmary right now and they are the only ones, aside from you, who knows what happened on that planet. Sounds suspiciously Goa'uld to me."

"So, you're saying I am responsible for them? That this is my fault?"

Jack glanced back at Hammond and Teal'c, who were watching the exchange carefully. Making up his mind, Jack returned his attention to Daniel and set his jaw.

"Yeah, that's exactly what I am saying. And you know what?" He narrowed his eyes and forced himself to look beyond the familiar façade. "I am tired of this game. This is your last warning. Fess up, now."

Daniel said nothing, but just shook his head irritably in response.

"Fine, then." Swallowing hard, Jack continued. "Teal'c, go get me a zat gun."

Teal'c arched an eyebrow, glancing once at Hammond, and then back to Jack. "Are you certain, O'Neill?"

"Oh yeah. We're not going to get anywhere with this bastard." He sneered coolly at Daniel, wishing it hadn't come to this. Hoping he was wrong. "So if you won't let me talk to Daniel, I'll do it myself."

"Don't do this, Jack!" Daniel pleaded, gripping the bars anxiously. "Don't."

"Then let me talk to Daniel."

"I'm right here."

Jack shook his head. "Not a good enough answer." Taking a step away from the cell, he turned away from Daniel and motioned to the door. "You heard me, Teal'c."

Hammond held up his chin, regarding Jack carefully. "Colonel?"

"I've done it before, sir, back with Skaara and it worked then. It's the only way we'll get to talk to Daniel and find out what's happening."

The general appeared to consider this, as he weighed his options. "Then, do what you can, Colonel."

"No! This is crazy," Jack heard Daniel say.

"No, you just don't want us to talk to Daniel," Jack mumbled, still refusing to look back. If this really was a Goa'uld, this was the only way Jack knew to get through to Daniel. If Daniel was still Daniel, it didn't matter. He could take a little zat. Besides, Jack was pissed off with him either way for getting himself into this mess in the first place.

"There has to be another way," Daniel offered.

"Yeah, get out now!" Jack yelled, whipping around at Daniel, livid. "You have no right to be there!"

"Teal'c, do as Colonel O'Neill has instructed," Hammond said evenly.

"No!"

Jack ignored him again, finding this situation increasingly difficult. With a nod, he motioned Teal'c to the door. Teal'c bowed his head solemnly, glancing at Hammond and Jack before heading towards the exit.

"Alright, Colonel, if this doesn't work—"

"Oh, it'll work," Jack said grudgingly, glancing at Hammond. "Then—"

"I will kill the host!"

Feeling his heart nearly stop, Jack gasped quietly, snapping his head back to the cell. Deep down, he had hoped he was wrong, that he was overreacting. Overcompensating. Something. Anything. But standing here now, looking at the man behind bars, his rigid stance, his cool expression, his glowing eyes…

"You son of a bitch," Jack swore, glowering at Daniel. Or whoever he was.

"I will do it," came the low booming voice.

Jack jerked his head back to Hammond who was standing speechless. Teal'c, situated behind him, had stopped, his hand outstretched towards the door. His expression mirrored the concern and the distress that had found its way into the general's features. Then, as if the seriousness of the situation had finally settled into their minds, both Hammond and Teal'c became quietly staid.

Teal'c looked downright murderous.

Taking long strides to meet Jack, Teal'c came to stand beside him, his face like stone as his glare bore into Daniel. "I shall ask you again. Who are you and whom do you serve?"

Daniel did not move from his position, only turning his head slightly to stare at Teal'c. "I serve all, yet serve none."

Wonderful, Jack thought, grinding his teeth.

Hammond spoke, taking his place to the right of Jack. "Who the hell are you?" he asked, not bothering to mask the irritation in his voice. "And what do you really expect to get from us?"

"I am all that have come after me."

"What the hell?" Jack rubbed his face, frowning fiercely at Daniel. Not Daniel, he reminded himself. A damn snake. "Quit playing these games and spill, now."

Daniel cocked his head, regarding Jack with amusement. "You are a curious one. You make many demands, yet have nothing to show for them."

"I wouldn't gloat if I were you," Jack muttering, seething. "You're the one behind bars."

"It would be in your best interest to cooperate," Teal'c stated.

"So, who are you?" Jack demanded.

"I am nothing."

Jack stole a glance at Teal'c, attempting to read his face for any sign of understanding. He found nothing.

"Sirs, I couldn't—"

Carter stopped mid-sentence as she abruptly halted in the middle of the room. Carter was a sharp one and Jack knew she had figured out what was going on the moment she caught sight of Daniel and his rigid position. Her eyes widened and she looked to Jack for some kind of insight.

Jack shook his head. "Don't know. The Riddler here hasn't given us anything to go on."

Inappropriate sarcasm. But what else could he say? This wasn't Daniel. They'd lost Daniel.

"I'm not going to ask you again," Hammond stated, his bald head turning a light shade of red. "Who are you and what have you done to Doctor Jackson?"

"I go by many names," Daniel replied, his unnatural voice grating at Jack's ears. "Many, many names…"

"We want to talk to Daniel," Carter insisted, her voice straining. Her lips were tight, her jaw set. "Whom do you work for?"

"We already tried that," Jack muttered. "This Goa'uld ain't talking." He glanced over at Hammond. "I say we go with the zat."

The zat would work. The zat would let them at least have a moment with Daniel, to reassure him. He must be going through hell.

I'm not going to let this happen, Daniel, Jack thought to himself, hoping Daniel understood somewhere in there.

"I'm not a Goa'uld," Daniel said casually. "And, as I have stated before, if you try such a foolish act, the host will die. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

"You're full of it," Jack retorted.

"And you're ignorant. A discharge would surely kill my host in this case. And, as you can imagine, I would like to avoid that as much as you would."

Carter looked over at Jack. "What if he's right, sir?"

"He's lying. They all lie," Jack snapped.

"Colonel, I am not willing to take that chance," Hammond commented, still eyeing Daniel cautiously. "Especially if we have a safer option with the Tok'ra."

"Ah, the Tok'ra," Daniel stated jubilantly. "I am looking forward to meeting them."

"Sirs," Carter whispered, turning slightly away from the cell. "I'd like to speak with you for moment, outside. It concerns the Tok'ra."

Hammond nodded, motioning to Jack and Carter to follow him outside the holding facility. Jack hesitated, watching as Teal'c continued to stare menacingly at Daniel.

"Uh, sir, I'd like to stay behind and keep an eye out."

"I'm sure Teal'c will be just fine," Hammond stated.

"Colonel, I'd really like to speak with you as well," Carter told him, her gaze drifting back to Daniel.

Jack hesitated again. "Teal'c?"

"I will remain."

"Leaving so soon?" Daniel asked, resting his chin against the bars. "We haven't yet begun negotiations."

"You are in no position to negotiate," Hammond said hotly, hovering near the door.

"But I believe I am," he said with a twisted smile. "I have the host and the knowledge that you have been searching for years to obtain."

"And you're behind bars which is where you're going to stay," Jack muttered.

"That could be negotiable once you see what I have to offer."

Jack shook his head. "I don't think so. The only way you're getting out of there is when I rip you out."

"Jack, come now…"

"Don't you call me that!" Jack yelled, pointing at Daniel. "You worthless—"

"Colonel. Outside. Now," Hammond commanded, swiping his key card to exit the room.

"Just one thing before you have your little meeting," Daniel said. He walked over to the bed, picking up the notebook and dangled it between the bars. "My gift of goodwill to Major Carter."

She hesitated, stealing a glance at Jack before carefully walking to the cell.

"Major…"

"I'm okay," she replied, quickly snatching the notebook and flipping through it. Frowning slightly, she glanced up at Daniel with wide eyes. "Some of these diagrams look like schematics."

Daniel smiled. "I offer this knowledge freely."

"Yeah, sure you do," Jack grumbled again, signaling with a flick of his thumb to the door. He had no patience for any of the Goa'uld's games. "Let's go, Carter. And Teal'c," he started, staring hard at the man. "Don't do anything."

Teal'c straightened his chest. "I have no intention of harming DanielJackson."

"Yeah, I know that. Just…don't do anything." He paused at the door, exchanging glances between Teal'c and the man who once was Daniel. "You understand?"

Teal'c nodded. "I understand."

To be truthful, Teal'c did not understand the insistence in O'Neill's voice. Teal'c had no intention of harming DanielJackson in any way. However, the being in front of him was not DanielJackson.

Perhaps, if this event had taken place several years ago, Teal'c would not feel as torn as he did now. Defeat of the Goa'uld and the freedom of all Jaffa had always been his priority as he traveled with his friends through the Chappa'ai. Yet, time brought forth change and Teal'c could not deny the change that had taken place.

His many years traveling with the Tau'ri and living on the First World had caused him to reevaluate his priorities. While he still strived to free his people and overcome his oppressors, his loyalty to the Tau'ri had grown, starting with that first day when he had pledged his allegiance to this world. Earth, and its many inhabitants, had begun to feel more and more like home to him.

Perhaps that is why, as he stood here in front of this cell, he so keenly felt the battle between protecting the man who had forgiven him and welcomed him so openly, and destroying the demon that possessed his soul.

"You are very quiet, Jaffa," stated the Goa'uld in its signature alien rumble.

Teal'c stared at him, raising an eyebrow.

"You were once in the service of Apep. Apophis," the Goa'uld stated, continuing. "The serpent god, enemy of Ra."

"False god," Teal'c stated. "Dead false god."

A grin spread across the familiar face of his friend. "Apophis is dead, yes. His weakness was his…passion. His passion for his offspring, for his queen, for his revenge," the Goa'uld stated knowingly as he searched Teal'c. "This sense of passion he has instilled in you, hasn't he?"

Teal'c refused to comment, unwilling to be caught in the Goa'uld's game of words.

"Teal'c, the great Jaffa warrior, who has used his passion to rise up against those he served. Teal'c, who would sacrifice everything for the safety of his family. Teal'c, who would fight to preserve the honor of his people. Teal'c, who would seek revenge against transgressors."

"Your words fall upon deaf ears," Teal'c told him, remaining firm.

"I suppose one could call your commitment and sacrifice heroic, even admirable." The Goa'uld smiled again, leaning against the metal bars of his prison. "My host seems to think so."

"What of DanielJackson?" Teal'c questioned venomously.

He chuckled. "My host has a fondness for you. He finds your cause honorable and affords only the deepest respect for you."

Teal'c held his head up, clasping his hands tightly behind his back. He would not allow this Goa'uld to continue to play these mind games, as O'Neill called them. He would remain vigilant and protect his friend with all the skills that he had.

"My Jaffa friend," the Goa'uld began again. "I agree that what you have accomplished is quite admirable. Your loyalty to your beliefs and to your friends shows remarkable courage and strength of character. With your might and strength, along with my knowledge, we could accomplish many great and wondrous deeds across the galaxy."

"You will not fool me with your empty promises," Teal'c said lowly, narrowing his eyes.

"Not empty promises. I speak the truth."

"The Goa'uld do not know the meaning of the word," Teal'c responded quickly.

"No, they do not," the other admitted, still eyeing Teal'c carefully. "But as I have stated previously, I am no Goa'uld."

"Then who are you and what purpose do you serve?"

He smiled, turning away from Teal'c and moved towards the wall. Resting his head casually against the concrete, he stared off into the distance.

"My purpose is simple, yet complex. As sophisticated and as elegant as a spider's web."

"Your riddles prove useless," Teal'c mentioned angrily.

"Only to the closed mind." He shook his head, sighing with disappointment. "I expected so much more from you, Teal'c. My host informs me that you are a deep and understanding man. Yet, I have seen none of it during this conversation."

"I do not serve the Goa'uld."

"No, no, you don't," the Goa'uld said quietly. "Nor do I expect you to. That is not what I ask."

Teal'c remained like stone. "I will not free you."

"I see. You are as close-minded as these humans."

Teal'c glared at him, keeping his body in place. He would not be able to restrain himself much longer. "Who are you?" he asked again.

The Goa'uld smiled, stepping up to the metal bars, a pleasurable gleam to his borrowed eyes. "I am the one who came forth from the great abyss, the primeval waters of nothingness, to seed and flourish. I am the keeper of the sacred, the measurer, the one that oversees all."

Teal'c frowned as he listened to the Goa'uld speak. It could not be so.

"I am 'He who Balances,' 'Lord of the Divine Body,'" he continued, pausing for only a brief moment. "I am the 'Voice of Ra.'"

Teal'c stiffened, studying the Goa'uld one last time before turning to exit the room.

"What do you mean?" O'Neill asked impatiently.

"I'm just saying that lately I've been having a more difficult time reaching the Tok'ra. They're always busy," Sam stated, starting to feel a little defensive.

"Your father is on the High Council!"

"I know, Colonel, but I have to get through a bunch of bureaucratic red tape just to talk to him anymore," she stressed, clutching the notebook tightly. "I managed to leave a message."

"Great, we've been reduced to using a Tok'ra answering machine," O'Neill mumbled, obviously not pleased.

"I'm not entirely happy with the state of affairs with our allies at this point, either, Colonel, but they're still our allies," Hammond stated, glancing at the both of them. "The truth is, they're probably the best chance we have for Doctor Jackson and the others."

"I'm sure once my dad gets the message, he'll respond right away," Sam told them, hoping her voice hadn't betrayed her own insecurities. "Plus, I'm sure the Tok'ra will be interested from a tactical point of view."

"What?" O'Neill asked.

She cringed at the tone of his voice, but understood his frustration for it matched her own. "If this really is a Goa'uld, whether it's a new species or a sub-species, the Tok'ra will want to question it." Feeling her cheeks redden, she glanced down at the notebook, feeling guilty over the excitement she felt while Daniel remained a prisoner in his own body. "We might be able to learn a great deal about the Goa'uld from these notes alone."

"Carter…" O'Neill warned, his tone becoming edgy.

"Sir, I want Daniel back as much as you do. And I don't mean to sound insensitive here, but we both know we have to try and look at this from all angles."

"She's right, Jack," Hammond said softly. "I hate this as much as you do. But if we can obtain anything to help us during the time this Goa'uld is in Doctor Jackson, we have to take advantage of it."

"I know. I know this," the colonel muttered, placing his hands behind his head and sighing. "I just hate it."

"I do too, sir," Sam admitted, hugging the notebook close. "But until the Tok'ra get back to us…"

"Yeah, I know."

"Well, at least we're all in agreement," Hammond stated, eyeing his two officers carefully. "Shall we go back in and see what we can find out from whoever this is?"

"I do not believe that will be wise, General Hammond."

Sam turned to see Teal'c walking towards them, his normally neutral features showing residual signs of unease and concern. Shifting her weight, she braced herself for whatever bad news Teal'c might have.

"Why do you say that, Teal'c?" General Hammond asked.

"I have reason to believe the Goa'uld within is one of the most dangerous of all the Goa'uld that I have encountered." Teal'c paused as if trying to collect his thoughts. "I believe he should be held under the highest security and full restraint."

Sam gaped at him, before shooting a look at her commanding officer. He said nothing, his face pensive.

"Have you ascertained exactly who this Goa'uld is?" Hammond asked with a frown.

"I believe that I have."

"Who is he?" Sam asked, biting back her fear.

"He appears to be the one known as Thoth."

"Thoth?" O'Neill questioned in disbelief. "The Goa'uld we were just briefed about?"

"That is correct, O'Neill."

"Well, that would make sense, wouldn't it?" Sam took a step forward, catching the attention of the three men in front of her. "The ruins supposedly belonged to Thoth. What if Thoth had been hidden within the shrine all this time and Daniel accidentally came across him?"

"Daniel swears he didn't go fishing around in that lab," O'Neill stated firmly.

"But, sir, we don't even know if that was Daniel we were talking to," she commented, hating to crush his hope. "We know how a symbiote can mimic its host's behavior. The likelihood is that Daniel didn't come through the Gate at all. It's been Thoth this whole time."

"Then, why would Thoth give a demonstration on how to defeat the Goa'uld?" Hammond questioned.

"Free reign?" O'Neill guessed. "Wipe out the Goa'uld so he can have it all for himself?"

"It's a possibility, sir," Carter agreed, though did not feel entirely comfortable with it.

"However, Thoth was never a System Lord," Teal'c informed them.

"No?" O'Neill was noticeably shocked. "Then, what the hell was he?"

"Jaffa legend tells of a time when Thoth was one of the most influential of all the Goa'uld. He would serve as mediator and negotiator among the System Lords during their many quarrels and disputes. He was greatly revered and in the high favor of Ra."

"Oh, wonderful. Ra's boy," O'Neill muttered.

"Anything else?" Hammond asked.

"I have only met Thoth once, on a previous occasion," Teal'c continued. "He was attempting to negotiate a deal between Apophis and two of his daughters, Hauhet and Amaunet."

Sam sucked in a deep breath.

"Whoa. Back up there a sec, T. Amaunet?"

Teal'c nodded slightly. "That is correct, O'Neill. Thoth was eager to find new mates for his daughters after the death of Heh and Amun." Teal'c stared at him evenly. "As you are aware, half of the deal was successful and Apophis took a new bride. Amaunet moved from Jaffa priestess to priestess until I was able to find her a suitable host."

"Now, that's creepy," O'Neill said with disgust. He looked to Hammond. "That's even more reason for us to get that out of Daniel. Now. He's going to have some serious husband/daddy issues if we don't."

"Actually, as DanielJackson has instructed us in the past, it is not uncommon for—"

"Not listening, Teal'c. I've heard enough." O'Neill breathed out, shaking his head. "Enough, right, Carter?"

"Actually, sir, I am a little troubled with this conversation."

"Uh…yeah," the colonel muttered bluntly. "That's pretty obvious."

"How so, Major?" Hammond interjected.

"Well, sir, I haven't been able to put my finger on it, but something just isn't right about all this."

"There's a Goa'uld in Daniel, Carter."

"No, I mean about Thoth. I keep thinking I've heard his name before. Before today."

She couldn't seem to pinpoint when, though. All afternoon it had been driving her crazy. Was it one of Daniel's previous lectures? Maybe a memory from Jolinar? Or maybe she was just on edge about this whole situation with Daniel?

"If you can remember anything, be sure to let us know, Major," Hammond stated. "But for now, I am taking what Teal'c has said under serious advisement. I am going to have Doctor Jackson moved from his cell into a larger room where we can watch him from an observation deck."

Sam sighed. This was the situation with the Stromos passengers all over again.

"Inside, I will have him restrained until further notice. Only a select few will have access to him."

"That include us, sir?" O'Neill stated more than asked.

"That's correct," Hammond answered.

"If you are indeed going to head my warning, General Hammond, then I have more to add."

"What is it, Teal'c?" O'Neill wondered.

"If the Goa'uld in DanielJackson is indeed Thoth, then we must proceed with extreme caution. Jaffa legend tells a tale where Thoth cannot lie."

Colonel O'Neill glanced disbelievingly at Sam before turning his attention to Teal'c. "Get out."

"I have no intention of leaving, O'Neill."

"No, Teal'c, the colonel means—"

"All Goa'uld lie, Teal'c. It's what makes them snakes." O'Neill pointed to the holding room. "He's been pretending to be Daniel. Isn't that a big enough lie?"

"Indeed," Teal'c conceded. "However, Thoth is a master of words. He can and will use them to his advantage."

"And Daniel's a linguist," Sam added dejectedly.

Hammond was obviously displeased. "Then let's use the utmost care, people. And let's see what we can find out."