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Ch 44: INTERLUDE
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Daniel parked in front of her silent, single-story house. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, a rumble in the distance reached his ears and then grew louder. Turning to look down the street, he saw a slim figure on a motorcycle moving towards him. The distinctively throaty rumble of the Indian grew louder and then the rider throttled back and slowed to pull into the driveway.
Silently he watched her trim, leather-clad figure as she stopped the motorcycle and then killed its engine while using her booted heel to flip the kickstand into position. Dismounting while leaning the cycle's weight against the kickstand, she turned to greet him as she pulled her helmet off.
"Daniel," and she met his eyes with both fear and hope.
He shook his head gently 'No', and she sighed and closed her eyes as her shoulders slumped. He stepped forward and pulled her into a strong hug. Holding her tightly as she fought back her tears.
After a few moments, she pulled back murmuring both 'Thanks' and 'sorry'.
"Don't apologize," he returned softly, "I needed a good hug myself," and he gave her a small smile and a tilt of the head.
She gave him a small, shy grin that pushed back some of the sorrow clouding her face.
Turning his gaze to the motorcycle, he decided to try a little aimless chatter, "Went for a ride?" he asked.
She nodded, "Just keeping it in good running condition. Giving the tires a spin, blowing out the carburetor...," and she looked at the ground and then back up at him.
He gave her a knowing smile, "Yeah, it needs to be taken for a little spin every now and then," he agreed.
"That's what I thought," she remarked with a waggle of her eyebrows and then added, "You get to take the Volvo out for a drive."
He snorted, "No thanks, that thing hates me. I think Sam jury-rigged some alien artifacts instead of a transmission and clutch assembly. It's not a normal car," he complained.
"You just don't treat it with the respect that it demands," she returned archly.
"Well, I took care of moving Jack's truck around, so someone else gets the Volvo," he decreed.
"Teal'c!" they both exclaimed with twin grins.
Silence reclaimed the driveway and Cassandra Frasier looked over at him somberly, "Daniel, are they dead?"
"We don't know," and his heart cracked a little at having to tell her that yet again.
She nodded and looked into the distance. "It's been almost two months," and she let that hang in the air.
"Yes... but Jack was stranded once before for three months and we eventually got him back," he pointed out.
Silent seconds ticked by and then she asked, "But what do you think, Daniel? Do you think they are still alive?"
He put his hand on her shoulder and met her eyes, "Yes, I honestly do. I still think that they're alive. I don't know where they are... and I don't know why they haven't come home, but I think that they are still alive...," and he shrugged with a small smile, "I can't tell you why... but it's something that I can just... feel."
She studied his eyes intently and then nodded, "Good. Because I can't handle losing them right now. Not after Mom," and her voice broke and the tears fell of their own accord.He pulled her into his arms again and felt her wrap her arms around him as her tears fell freely. He let her tears cry themselves out and when he felt her quiet down, he spoke softly, "Cassie, we're still looking for them. We haven't given up, I promise."
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Teal'c walked silently through O'Neill's house. Watering the few plants. Stacking and sorting the mail. Dutifully recording the few odd phone messages on a notepad.
DanielJackson was paying the monthly bills for both SamanthaCarter and JackO'Neill. Teal'c and young Cassandra Frasier took care of the necessary minimal housework and yardwork, with Teal'c attending to O'Neill's home and Cassandra attended to Samantha's.
The Jaffa eyed the time while assessing the disheveled state of the lawn. Nodding imperceptibly, he moved towards the garage to configure the mechanized grass-cutting machine for use. He should be able to finish the front yard before meeting DanielJackson and CassandraFrasier for dinner.
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Daniel tried to focus on the list of planets that they would search next, but his attention kept wandering. Doubts and worries were now demanding his attention. How much longer would they be allowed to continue the search for Jack and Sam? When would General Hammond's temporary command of the SGC have to be handed over to a new CO for the base?
And, his words from last night kept echoing in his mind.
"I don't know where they are... and I don't know why they haven't come home, but I think that they are still alive..., I can't tell you why... but it's something that I can just... feel."
This morning, however, he found himself wondering at his own statements.
"Something is bothering you DanielJackson?" the Jaffa broke into Daniel's wandering thoughts.
The archeologist started to deny his friend's observation and then sighed, "We've searched dozens and dozens and dozens of planets, and we haven't found any signs of Jack or Sam. All of the information about the Vandi indicates that it should have worn off within a few hours... like it did for you and me. So, where are they? Why didn't they dial home? Something had to have happened to them," and he paused and gauged the Jaffa's impassive visage. "We haven't heard from them in almost two months. Do you think they are still alive?" he asked the same question that Cassie had asked him last night.
Teal'c tilted his head a little in acknowledgement of the points made, "I do believe that GeneralO'Neill and ColonelCarter are most likely still alive," he intoned somberly.
"What are you basing that on?" Daniel asked curiously and with guarded hope.
"Both GeneralO'Neill and ColonelCarter have survived extreme conditions numerous times over the past many years. I fully expect that when we find them, we will discover that these past months have presented many challenging obstacles. However, I am fully confident of their abilities to succeed where others would surrender."
"So... would it be correct to say... that you... just have this 'feeling' that they are ok?" he proposed tentatively.
The Jaffa stared at him for a moment and then nodded his head again, "It would," he answered with stark brevity.
"Ah," Daniel returned.
"Do you not have such feelings DanielJackson?" Teal'c inquired.
"Well actually, yes, I do... it's just... hard to define them... and hard to justify them with any facts or hard data," the archeologist returned.
"Feelings do not require facts," the Jaffa returned sagely.
Daniel looked quietly at his friend for a few moments and then asked, "How long do we search before we have to face the probability that we have lost them... that they aren't coming home?"
The Jaffa returned sagely, "We will know when the search is concluded. For now, we continue."
Daniel nodded silently.
They would continue searching.
Because they both still felt the pull to that which was SG-1.
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TBC
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