Category: Angst, Action/Adventure, Drama, crossover, Alternate Universe
Spoilers: Stargate : Anything up to 48 hours.
Season/Sequel: Five, after 48 hours, but before Summit - Sequel to Hidden Truths and The Darkness In Your Dreams
Rating: PG
Content Warnings: not much I don't think – I mean tht merits a warning....
Summary: How would you feel if other people made your decisions for you?
Status: Finished
Archive:
Disclaimer: I do not own StarGate SG-1 or Xena Warrior Princess, but the original characters in this story are mine. And I am making no money what so ever from this.
Author's Notes: This is the, third of my immortals stories - the final part of my opening trilogy - Immortal Hope that will be posted as a full story - at some time. Hopefully, I didn't piss too many people off leaving TDIYD where I did, I'd just gotten to where I wanted to be with that story - soz - but as promised the 'saga' continues . And i am really sorry that this story has taken so long to appear - compared to the other two which are on gateworld and hep - i'm really sorry, my computer and internet have been conspiring on me!! I'm getting a head ache - lol. This story took some work - this being the second, and only, finished version. I am as ever open to insults or woteva - it's nice to know wot people think. Any mistakes in this fic are my own.
The songs are : Someday - Nickleback, Won't Back Down - Fuel, One Last Breath - Creed.
This is for everyone who's offered their support, thanks for letting me know what you think!
Part One
How the hell did we wind up like this?
Why weren't we able
To see the signs that we missed
And try and turn the tables
I wish you'd unclench your fists
And unpack your suitcase
Lately there's been too much of this
But don't think it's too late
Nothing's wrong, just as long
As you know that someday I will...
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
I hope that since we're here anyway
We could end up saying
Things we've always needed to say
So we could end up staying
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror
Nothing's wrong, just as long
As you know that someday I will...
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
How the hell did we wind up like this?
Why weren't we able
To see the signs that we missed
And try and turn the tables
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror
Nothing's wrong, just as long
As you know that someday I will...
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it alright, but not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
I know you're wondering when
Tears ran down pale cheeks, mixing with the rain as the young woman tilted her head back, enjoying the feel of the cold rain on her skin, unaware of the cold wind even as it blew her hair into her face.
It had been a long month, her half-sister had disappeared, then re-appeared, her work had interfered with her personal life on a level it never had before, preventing her from being with her family when they needed her the most, and she had one less enemy than she had had before.
She shuddered as a stray water droplet rain down the back her neck raising Goosebumps. It had been a bad month, one that still didn't seem over, but rather more like the beginning of a bad year, like there was something more to come. Something that was just waiting for the right moment to rear it's head.
The question that weighed heavily on her mind was what was coming? And what could they do about it, if there was anything that they could do.
Anise, the Tok'ra's chosen representative, handed out sheets of paper containing her people's terms, informing the small group that the High Council had agreed upon the conditions, and would except nothing that didn't abide by those conditions.
Doctor Daniel Jackson stared at the list with disgust noting that there could only possibly be one outcome from the given conditions. A result that he was not willing to abide to, even if the Tok'ra would break their alliance with Earth otherwise. The Tok'ra expected him to go to their base on Ravenna to live for the rest of his life, submitting himself to numerous tests and examinations without complaint, the very idea of which made him feel sick. It was almost as though the Tok'ra had decided that as he was not mortal, his life was worthless, he had no free will, or choice, he was merely an object to be examined.
As though from their point of view there was no body to consider when they made up their conditions that the Tauri were expected to agree to.
Glancing around he noted his friends' expressions, relived to see that they felt the same way that he did, though, General Hammond had his orders, which would be of little aid under the circumstances, it was after all, more likely that the pentagon considered the Tok'ra alliance and possible advances as more important than one man's life. Despite some ideas that existed to the contrary.
The very fact that from the outset of the second round of talks the Tok'ra had insisted he have no voice within the diplomatic circle, being permitted only to listen as everyone else made the choices. An enforcement that seemed stupidly childish coming form Earth's older, wiser ally.
Daniel met Anise's gaze defiantly across the table, daring her to say anything more as he stood up to meet her on her own level. "There is not one of these 'conditions' that the people of the Tauri are permitted to question?"
Anise glared back at him, her disgust at his approach to her diplomatic actions clear. "The decisions, made by the Tok'ra High Council are final, we will except nothing that goes against these conditions."
Daniel narrowed his eyes at the words. "With respect, I am not a slave to be purchased, my life is my own, not the Tok'ra High Council's, therefore any decision made by someone else, that effects my life, is open to question by me. The decision is mine to make, not the Tok'ra's, in any means."
Anise flushed bright red, eyes glittering with anger. "On the contrary, it is obvious to all that you are not responsible enough to make your own decisions."
Daniel stiffened the first stirrings of true anger showing in his eyes. "It is amazing what conclusions a group of children can come up with from nothing, I would have expected more from the Tok'ra, especially as Selmac is one of your number."
Anise's nostrils flared. "You are a child from the point of view of the Tok'ra, Alastair, the Tok'ra have existed longer than you have lived, and as your elders, we have every right to make such conclusions from what evidence is available."
Daniel snorted. "I know how long the Tok'ra have existed Anise, and it has only been for a little over two millennia, as you are also well aware, yet, I, despite having been outlived by the Tok'ra, am over five millennia old. The numbers make no such comparison as that which you have made Anise, or at least from the point of view of an immortal Tauri man they do not."
Anise froze mouth partly open staring at Daniel as though he had grown an extra head.
"You are younger than you claim to be Alastair." Anise's companion, Lin'Al, a Tok'ra new to the Tauri spoke from his position at the briefing table, hazel eyes shining with a disgust matching Anise's. "You play games with us because you believe you can play them in confidence of our lack of knowledge of immortals. We know much more about your kind than you believe. Do not continue with the game, for you will loose."
Daniel frowned at the other man. "You know less than you believe you do, else you would know it to be true, were you to meet any other immortal they would tell you the same, be wary of where you tread when talking as a mortal of immortals, for there is little understanding in your mind as I have so far seen it. Few mortals offer more." Daniel smiled idly to the surprise of the other people in the room. "Beside which, in answer to your threat, I never loose."
Colonel Jack O'Neill walked down the barren concrete corridor, a small pile of paper in his right hand as he tried to decide how to start a conversation with his immortal friend after the events that had transpired during the talks in the briefing barely an hour before. The two Tok'ra representatives were now locked in their quarters, refusing to come out until the General confirmed that their demands would be met with silence, and that Daniel wouldn't be present at the final few talks that would be needed to close the deal.
Personally he agreed with Daniel's opinion, believing that the other man was well within his rights to want to question, or not agree with the High Council's conditions, as it was his life that it would effect, though he wondered if he was seeing it from a solely selfish point of view. He wanted his friend on Earth, where he could get to him.
Their friendship still needed work to get back to the point it had been at two months beforehand, but it was getting to a similar point, slowly but surely. While it was true the relationship would never be the same as it had been, Jack had every hope that it would better than their previous one, as they now knew each other better than ever before. A mortal could have an immortal as a best friend. And vice versa, or at least so he hoped.
Lin'Al watched with cold hazel eyes as Anise and her host, Freya, carried out an internal debate across the room. He found the Tok'ra woman annoying, petty and vain, though which related to which half he wasn't sure. It was very clear to everyone who met Anise that her relationship with her host was very different to the average Tok'ra's. They were very much separate, both keeping their own preferences despite the blending, with very different personalities. Freya was much more the shy reserved scholar, who preferred her men with a hint of danger, while Anise was louder, a more opinionated scholar come politician, always right, who preferred scholarly intelligent men, who held no mystery to her, as she had believed Daniel Jackson to be.
The differences showed themselves often enough for even the members of the Tauri to be aware of them, something that disgusted Lin'Al, how could she allow the foolish young militants to see her weaknesses so easily. She was a threat to all he and the others had worked towards, though she was very handy to have around during such situations as the one they were now facing.
The advantages that could be made with an immortal in their hands would be well worth the risk, they could help the Tok'ra finally defeat their one time brethren the Goa'uld for once and for all.
Lin'Al smiled as his host silently agreed with him. They would have the immortal soon enough. No matter the price.
Daniel met Jack's gaze as the other man stepped into his office blue eyes dropping to the papers in Jack's hand, the Tok'ra conditions.
"Come to tell me I shouldn't have said what I said?" Daniel questioned raising an eyebrow slightly in question. He had never been the type to surrender in silence to anything he disliked, as his infamous actions during the Tollan incident had shown.
"No, though I doubt your Tok'ra bating has gone down well with them, I don't think Anise likes you anymore."
Daniel snorted meeting his friend's gaze. "Thank God."
Jack smiled good-humouredly for a few moments before shifting uncomfortably. "You know it hasn't gained us anything, Lyle, or whatever his name is, was right, they are going to win." Jack couldn't help but run Daniel's reaction to that statement over in his mind again, it had surprised him as much as anyone, it wasn't the kind of comment you expected from Daniel, revealed immortal or not.
Daniel nodded his agreement slowly. "I know that, I knew it before I even started with Anise, it just helped me feel better." Daniel met Jack's gaze solidly. "I am not going down without a fight Jack."
Jack nodded his understanding expression grim. "And we're right behind you on that, Danny."
Senator Jocelyn Hunter didn't even bother to look up from her paperwork as her receptionist and friend, Eve Wilson entered the large office. As one of the proposed candidates for the presidency she had a lot more work to do than she had had before, which meant the paperwork was slowly piling up, despite her numerous assistants, there were some things that only she was meant to deal with.
"A new folder for you to look at ma'am." Eve used her official title knowing that their friendly relationship was frowned upon by many, dropping the folder within Jo's line of sight, the bright red print on the front claiming her attention instantly.
Reaching out Jo plucked the folder off her desk, flicking through it's thick pages, noting the piece of paper that had been paper clipped to the front inner page, this folder was in reference to recent events in Colorado, involving Area 52, as it was known to the world.
Unlike her main opponent and fellow senator, Kinsey, she believed that what the programme did was important, despite the limited returns it produced, in her mind it was worth watching, not stopping.
She frowned at the sheets, re-reading the heading of the report, barely believing what she was reading.
The SGC's resident 'immortal' was the subject of talks with the Tok'ra, over where it was best he be.
She looked up at Eve over the top of the folder, silently baffled by the folder but carefully schooling her expression. "Thanks Eve, could you free up my books for the next week for me, please?" Jo made a split minute decision on what she was going to do with this information, reaching for the red phone on her desk even as she asked.
Eve frowned but nodded. "Of course Ma'am, but may I ask why?"
Jo smiled. "I'm going to be taking a trip."