SG13 The Suicide Squad

by Cesar A

First in series. Prisoners form SG-13, the lives of the members of SG-1 and the SGC will never be the same again. Characters from JAG and West Wing appear.

8. Part 8

Chapter 17: Life goes on.

Jack walked into the Generals office; standing smartly, he saluted and waited. Hammond returned the salute and asked him to be seated.

"So colonel" He began "How are the arrangements for our special guest coming along."

Jack pulled out a pad where he kept all his notes "Well sir, we've gotten the list of the president's preferred foods and that of the first lady. We will be getting those supplies ready when the date approaches. Dr. Fraiser has received all the necessary medical files for all the people going with the president. I spoke to a Mr. Josh Lyman, the President's assistant Chief of Staff, he says that before we leave for Abydos the president wants a full day here at the SGC to look the base over, meet some of the people involved with the project. He also wants a room set aside for a medals presentation, he requests the following personnel to be present to receive awards from the president himself." Jack smiled proudly as he handed over the list to the general.

"Teal'c! Daniel Jackson!" Hammond smiled surprised "Well they deserve it." He read down the list "They all do, we can do this in the gate room. Full dress uniform, the whole nine-yards." He said happy that his people were being recognized for their sacrifices.

"My thoughts exactly." Jack agreed, "Daniel and Carter are heading down to Washington tomorrow to meet with the President's people and make all the final arrangements and to get any special requests that the President might have."

"Why Carter and Jackson?" The General asked curiously

Jack shrugged "They were requested sir, I think that there is some trepidation among the President's staff about actually going through the gate and they want Carter to explain to them what is going to happen. The President's press secretary a C.J. Cregg wants to meet with Daniel and discuss what possible gift the President might bestow upon the Abydonians. They figure since Daniel lived with them the longest, he's the best one to know what it is that they are going to need, and what will be the most useful to them."

The general leaned back into his seat and sighed "That's alright I guess, besides those two could probably use some time to themselves."

Jack immediately did a double take "Sir?" Jack tried to bluff it out looking as innocent as possible

Leaning back in his chair the General shook his head, "Don't try that innocent look on me Colonel, save that for Doctor Fraiser, she might fall for it, although I doubt it." Hammond smiled at the blushing Colonel "When are you people going to get it through your heads that you can't get anything past me."

"And you don't mind sir?" Jack asked nervously

"About you and Doctor Fraiser, no. Your jobs really don't pose a conflict, on the other hand." Hammond frowned staring at the colonel "The relationship between Dr. Jackson and Major Carter has a very high likelihood for disaster. How do they behave on missions Jack, really?" He asked honestly wanting a simple answer that he could believe.

Jack sat back stunned, would the general actually try to force the issue?

"Sir SG 1 always performs as the military would want. Daniel and Carter always behave in a professional mAnnier while on mission and while on this base. I don't think that what happens away from here should cause any conflicts." He tried to argue

Hammond shook his head unsure "I just don't know Jack." He said in a friendly fashion "The rules were made for a reason." He held up a hand when he saw that the colonel was going to protest, "I am not saying that I am going to do anything. Not now at any rate, but I will be keeping my eye on the situation. If they can keep their relationship from interfering with a mission, I will think about going to the President about getting them a special dispensation. If they can't behave or if personal problems begin to affect missions or work productivity. I may have to step in and make some changes, what they are I don't know. You might want to warn them."

"Yes sir." Standing up he faced the general at attention "Will there be anything else sir?"

"That will be all Colonel. Dismissed."

Jack made his way down the corridor wondering what he was going to say to Daniel and Carter. He loved them both; it wasn't by chance that he called them his kids. Sometimes especially when they found something new that really interested them; they could both act like a couple of five year olds. Their eyes would light up as if it was Christmas morning and they were the first ones down the stairs to the presents under the tree. They just couldn't wait to get their hands on their new toys. In the beginning, he had to admit, he had been attracted to Samantha Carter, hell he would had to have to be blind and dead not to be attracted to the beautiful young woman. But as time passed and he got to know her better, he saw that a relationship between them would turn out to be a disaster and probably end up costing their friendship. That was too high a price for sex and some good times that would only end in tears. Especially after having met Jonas Hanson, lord only knows what he put Sam through; no, Sam didn't need a military man in her life. Besides Jack was no fool, he knew that she would end up driving him over the wall talking about science and physics, that integral part of her that could not be taken away. No what Sam needed was someone who could actually understand what the hell she was talking about, or someone who had the patience to just listen to her ramble on and on about the gate. He knew that he definitely was not the man for that particular mission; he'd probably end up resenting the fact that she was so much smarter than him. No Daniel had been the obvious choice, Jack would never have to worry about Sam getting hurt by Daniel, or worry about Daniel losing patience with Sam. Hell Daniel was just as curious about the gate as she was, how many times on missions did he have to listen to those two going on and on about something that he could not begin to understand. Jack had seen it coming; hell, if he admitted it to himself it was there since the beginning. He remembered standing there with Kowalski watching with open mouths as the two scientists bantered back and forth about stellar drift and quantum mechanics and lord only knows what else. Each one finishing the others sentence as if they'd been doing it for years, instead of just having met. Jack would lay good money that if Sam were completely honest with herself that it had been love at first sight for her. "I knew that I'd like you." She had said smiling at him, that was the very first time that Jack had seen Sam Carter's eyes light up. Her smile lit up the cartouche room, and at that moment Jack saw a young beautiful woman, not just an Air Force captain. Danny was a handsome kid, lord knows he has a way with women that even Danny doesn't understand, and it was probably a good thing that he didn't, it was a part of his charm. If it hadn't been for the fact that Danny was already married, he'd bet that his two 'kids' would have gotten together long ago. Jack saw how his two friends would light up when ever they got together; it was inevitable in Jack's opinion. Two of the smartest people on the planet, who could understand each other perfectly, who worked perfectly together. Who in fact, annoying as it was, didn't even have to speak to each other to understand one another on a level that other's couldn't possibly approach or share.

"The general is wrong", Jack thought, "These two need each other, to keep each other sane in this insane world... ah universe."

Everyone needs someone to talk to, and Jack knew from his previous marriage what it could do to a relationship when you couldn't talk to your spouse or girlfriend because they were not cleared to know. Sara O'Neill would sometimes get so frustrated with Jack, especially when he did his black-ops missions because he would be in so much obvious pain and he couldn't talk to her. Charlie's death had been the nail in the coffin of their marriage. But even if Charlie had lived, Jack didn't think that Sara would have been able to deal with the Star gate.

Life is so strange, Jack thought to himself. Just over a year ago, before he started a relationship with Janet Fraiser, whenever he thought of Charlie all he could think about was that day when his son had accidentally shot himself. Now just over a year after his new relationship, Jack could remember the good times as well. Charlie playing ball, or riding his bike, Charlie running then jumping into his arms when he got home from work, the wonderful times. Janet had made him talk about it, remember the good times and not just that last day, Janet had made him realize that he'd been a good father. A loving caring father, Janet had even questioned him about the accident. Asked him where he kept his gun.

"Get out!" Jack drunkenly yelled at her

Janet stood up to her full height of just over five feet and stamped her foot just as angry as he was "No goddamnit, I'm fighting for you even if you don't want to fight for yourself." Janet yelled back "Where did you keep your gun!" she demanded

"In the back of the closet." Jack yelled at her "There, are you satisfied." He crumpled back down on the couch. "I remember running into that room and seeing him lying there, the chair lying by the closet." He cried miserably, he did not even notice when Janet had gotten his gun away from him and put it in her purse.

"So Charlie had to get a chair, climb into your closet and root around for your gun." Janet shook her head grabbing his face "He was curious Jack, an inquisitive 12 year old who didn't understand that he shouldn't be playing with a gun. It was an accident Jack, maybe he lost his balance on that chair and fell and that is why the gun went off." Janet grabbed his hands "If Charlie was here right now he'd say the same thing, it was an accident." She pleaded with him, trying to make him understand.

Jack looked at her stunned, maybe he did fall. Jack stared at Janet's tear-stained face

Janet knew that she had just said something that he'd never thought of, maybe she was even right. There was no way to ever know for sure.

"It was an accident." She pleaded with him tears falling from her face "Killing yourself will only end with you killing me as well. I love you Jack, I can't imagine my life without you." Janet cried

Jack took her in his arms hugging her to him, it was the first time she'd ever said the words, I love you.

"Oh god Janet, I love you too." He cried on her shoulder

They spent the rest of the night talking; he was able to tell Janet things he could never tell Sara. Janet had the right clearance; Jack could pour out his heart and get rid of some of that black poison in his soul. At first, he was afraid, afraid that she would be disgusted with him and leave, and maybe a part of him wanted her to leave him in his own private hell. Nevertheless, there was another part of him, that part of him that wanted to live to be happy again and realized that the poison had to be released and the demons exorcised. It was the only way that he could get past it, not over it, Jack was not stupid enough to think that he would just forget what he'd done. Just accept it and move on, so he talked and talked until he couldn't talk anymore. He stared at her like a frightened child, he knew it, and she knew it.

"I love you Jack." Janet whispered kissing him tenderly taking him into her arms and letting him cry. Since that night, Jack could remember the good times, he would tell Janet all about them. She would laugh at the funny stuff and comfort him through the bad stuff. Maybe if he had been able to talk to Sara that way they would still be married, maybe not, that was something that could not be answered. What Jack did know was that his heart now belonged to a short doe-eyed doctor, and he would have it no other way.

Jack had even run into Sara one day at a store in the mall just a few weeks before. Jack had been there to buy a gift for Janet for her birthday, so Jack had gone into a jewelry store to find her a necklace or something. If Jack had happened to look at the engagement rings there on display, it was just a pure coincidence. Sara had walked in just after he did.

"I thought that was you that I saw." Sara smiled at her ex

Jack looked up starting to blush, like a little boy caught by his mother smoking a cigarette.

"Sara" Jack stammered, "You look great." He said staring at his former wife. Her hair was different now, from the last time that he'd seen her. Sara O'Neill looked beautiful and happy.

"Thanks Jack." She smiled and came over giving him a kiss on the cheek, noticing that Jack had been staring at the engagement rings.

"So how are you?" she asked, admitting to herself that he looked different, happy.

Jack smiled "Good, you?" he asked moving away from the rings on display.

"Happy." She admitted "Listen can I buy you lunch, I really need to speak to you." She asked

Jack shrugged, he had to talk to Sara sooner or later. Now was as good a time as any for him to as her to forgive him, "Sure, I can come back later." He said worriedly "You sure you're alright?"

"Fine" Sara waved his concern away

So, they sat down with their burgers and fries and stared at each other for a long moment. Then Sara began.

"Jack I've met someone."

Jack was surprised "Really?"

"Yes really." Sara told him annoyed "What you think that I can't meet someone."

Jack held up his hands defensively "I'm sorry Sara, that's not what I meant. You just took me by surprise for a second there, that's all." Jack blushed "But I'm happy for you."

"Really?" Sara asked

Jack smiled "Yes" he told her truthfully, she deserved someone good in her life "Good guy?"

"Yeah" Sara smiled "We met about a year ago, he's asked me to marry him, Jack." She said nervously, wondering how Jack would react. Not that she felt that she needed his blessing, but still it would be nice if he were happy for her.

"You love him?" Jack asked seriously

"Yes I do."

"Then marry him." He stated flatly, "You deserve to have someone in your life who can make you happy."

Suspiciously, Sara eyed him; Jack had definitely changed since they had last spoken. Or was it that someone had changed him.

Sara sat back studying her ex-husband "You seem different Jack."

Jack smiled "I feel good Sara." He told her "I haven't felt this good in a long time. I've forgiven myself for what happened to our son." He admitted to her

"Really?" she asked hoping that he had. Jack deserved some happiness as well.

"Yeah, for a long time, I just couldn't do it." Jack admitted to her and for the first time he really spoke to her about what happened so many years ago, "I thought that it was all my fault, that I didn't deserve to live. I couldn't bare to look at you and see the accusation in your eyes."

Sara was shocked by his words "Jack I never blamed you, it was an accident. Yes at first, I hated you, and yes, I did want to blame you. But that was my anger and grief talking, later I tried to talk to you, to tell you, but you wouldn't listen to me. You were always drunk or withdrawn or more than likely both."

"I know." Jack hung his head in shame "I thought you blamed me, because I blamed myself. It took me a long time and some good friends to finally make me see. I'm sorry I put you through that, you needed me to help you with your grief and I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you Jack." Sara smiled at him knowingly "Who is she Jack?"

Jack stared innocently at her "Who is who?

Sara smiled even wider, that innocent look of his never did work on her, "This miracle woman who could finally get through to you."

Jack blushed but admitted it to her "A woman I work with."

Sara stared at him a moment opened mouthed "Not that blonde woman you were with the last time I saw you is it?"

Jack laughed and shook his head "No not her."

Sara smiled "Good she's too young for you." She joked

"Hey" Jack protested, "I'm in the prime of my life."

Sara laughed "Yeah right, so come on tell me."

Jack smiled and told her "She's a doctor, and she's in the Air force. I met her on base and we started seeing each other."

Sara was surprised; Jack usually was not interested in overly smart people "How long have you been seeing her?"

"A little over a year." Jack admitted

"Ah, so that's why you were looking at the engagement rings." Sara nodded knowingly "Thinking of taking the plunge yourself again I see." She accused him still smiling.

Jack's eyes opened wide "I wasn't looking at the engagement rings." He defended "I was looking for a birthday present for her."

Sara picked up her soda and held it up "Right Jack, well I'm happy for you too then." May be their marriage hadn't worked out, still Sara thought, she'd been married to the man across from her for nearly fifteen years. There had been good times and bad, and then it had ended for them. That however didn't mean that they could'nt be friends now.

Jack smiled thinking back to that conversation; Sara and he had spent the better part of the afternoon talking. Opening old festering wounds and letting them heal properly, remembering some of the good times that they had shared together. They had laughed and joked as they hadn't done since the early years of their marriage. He had wished her luck in her new life and had left to go back to the jewelry store. He had bought the necklace that he had seen earlier and he also made another purchase. A purchase that he had been carrying around for weeks now, unsure, afraid of what might happen. Not to himself per se, Jack was no fool he had pissed off too many people to ever make General himself. But what about Janet's career, could he do that to her. Now that he knew that the General had no problem with it, it was time to strike while the iron was hot. Jack knew better than to put it off any longer, that it would only make him begin to doubt himself more and more. No a strategic frontal assault was called for, and he was just the soldier to accomplish this particular mission. Entering the infirmary, he saw that it was pretty much empty except for a couple of nurses and Captain Hammond. Looking into the back, he could see Janet was in her office obviously working on some paperwork.

"Colonel." Daisy smiled at him "What brings you around here?"

"I need to speak to Dr. Fraiser, alone if possible." He looked at the three women

Daisy shrugged looking around, there was nothing serious going on at the moment. No patients, nor were there any emergencies, nor problems. Also judging by the Colonel's expression, this was an important matter that he wished to discuss with Janet.

"Sure Colonel." Turning to the two nurses "Why don't you guys get some lunch." As the nurses left whispering to each other, Daisy looked at the Colonel "Good luck sir." She offered

"What?" Jack looked surprised

Daisy looked back innocently "You look like a man on a mission sir, I hope you succeed." Turning she walked out of the infirmary, hoping that Janet would have some good news to share later.

Jack walked to the back and knocked on Janet's door, hearing her call him in, he double checked his pocket and took a deep breath and entered.

Janet looked up from her paperwork and smiled as Jack entered the room.

"Hi Jack, there's nothing wrong is there?"

"No" Jack said nervously "I just wanted to come by and see you for a moment." He said sitting on the edge of her desk.

Janet looked out her window and saw the infirmary was empty, taking the opportunity she put her hand on his thigh rubbing it gently.

"I'm glad that you did. You ran out so fast this morning, I hardly had a chance to see you at all." She complained her lips forming a cute little pout.

Jack smiled, she looked so cute like that "I'm sorry about that, but I had an early meeting that I couldn't miss. Then I had to talk to the general about the progress about the president's visit." Pausing he took a swallow and continued, "He knows about us Janet."

Janet looked at his nervous face and felt her heart constrict "Does he want us to end it. Or is he bringing us up on charges." She asked scared "I can take the second, I can't do the first. I love you Jack, I won't let Hammond or the Air Force come between us."

Jack took her small hand into his and smiled "He says that it's okay, that our job descriptions are so far apart that he doesn't have a problem with it."

Janet gripped his hand tightly smiling happily "Then why do you look so nervous, this is great news. We can finally stop hiding the way we feel about each other."

Jack took a deep breath, "I'm nervous for a completely different reason." He told her reaching into his pocket, standing up he got down on one knee. Janet gasped as she saw him doing that; she began to cry when she saw the small jewelry box in his hand.

"Janet Fraiser, would you do the me the honor of becoming my wife?" Jack held up the ring for her to see

Janet's tears fell unchecked and she placed her right hand to her mouth and held out her left hand to Jack.

"Yes" She whispered "Oh God yes."

Jack smiled and put the ring on her finger "I love you Janet."

Janet got out of her chair throwing her arms around Jack "I love you too Jack, I can't believe this is happening."

Kissing her gently, he whispered, "You better believe it." Holding her tightly

Daisy sat down with her lunch tray and smiled at Sam, Daniel and Teal'c who were sitting together talking.

"Hi Daisy." Sam smiled back looking at the woman "You look like the cat who ate the proverbial canary."

Daisy shrugged "I think that I might have a juicy piece of gossip." She admitted

Sam smiled widely, she would never admit it but she loved gossip "Well give, what is it."

Daisy leaned over "Well I can't tell you, that's not my place to do. But I can tell you that a certain Colonel just came into the infirmary and asked us all to leave so he could speak to a certain Major doctor alone." Daisy smiled at them "He also looked extremely nervous." She added meaningfully

Sam's eyes flew open "Nervous good, or nervous bad?" she asked suddenly nervous herself.

"Oh, very good kinda nervous." Daisy told them with a smile

Daniel looked confused as he often did when he heard the latest gossip "So what does that mean?" he asked staring at the two women.

Daisy and Sam looked at him. Daniel looked at Teal'c, who stared back; both men shrugged their shoulders, obviously neither understood.

"Men." Sam shook her head looking at Daniel then relented "Bad nervous, would mean that Jack was going there to break up with her and he was afraid of her reaction. Good nervous would mean the exact opposite." She said meaningfully

Daniel was still lost staring at the two women when it finally dawned on him "You mean that Jack is going to..."

"Yes." Sam nodded looking around making sure that no one could over hear "But we say nothing, no one but us is to know anything about this. It is for them to tell us when they are ready."

"What is O'Neill going to do?" Teal'c asked still confused

Sam leaned over and whispered into the Jaffa's ear, his eyes opened wide but otherwise did not react.

"Indeed, this is good news. Still you are correct Major Carter, this is news that must be kept secret until they are ready." He agreed

It was several hours later that Jack and Janet walked into Daniel and Sam's lab. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder engrossed in some bit of alien technology that SG 8 had picked up on their latest jaunt through the gate. Jack was damned if he could remember the planets designation. He had enough problems trying to remember the designations to the planets he goes to, to worry about the designations of other teams as well. Janet leaned over to Jack motioning to the oblivious pair.

"Can you imagine what a kid from their DNA would be like?"

Jack shivered involuntarily at the very thought, "I don't think this planet is ready for super brainiac baby. Hell the kid would probably be born with an archeology book in one hand and a physics book in the other. Spouting off theories in Swahili or something." He told her causing Janet to laugh.

Both scientists looked up with the same confused look on their faces.

"Oh God" Janet pointed, "Now that is truly frightening."

"What?" they asked in unison

"Oh God help me." Janet grabbed her sides laughing

Daniel and Sam looked at each other and shrugged.

"Maybe Machello's killing device is active again." Daniel suggested

"I think you're right." Looking at the laughing pair Sam smiled impishly "I'll go get Mackenzie, you keep them distracted. I'll be back in a flash with two straight jackets."

"As you were Major." Jack wiped his eyes then turning serious, he turned around and closed the door. Jack had told Janet what Hammond said about Daniel and Sam's relationship, she also knew that the next few minutes would not be pleasant. Taking a seat, she waited for Jack to join her.

Jack smiled at his two friends "Okay you want the good news first or the bad news."

Daniel and Sam looked at each other and nodded turning back to look at Jack "The bad." They both said in unison.

Jack stared at them wagging a finger at them, "You two have really got to stop doing that." Jack shivered "It's really getting creepy."

The two smiled, Daniel relented first "Okay Jack what's the bad news."

Sighing Jack decided that the bald truth was the best way to go "Hammond knows all about you, and us." He told them

Daniel sat down heavily and Sam nervously grabbed his hand for support "What did he say?" Sam asked, the look on Jack's face told her already that the general had not exactly jumped for joy. Jack looked like he would rather read one of her physics books cover to cover than tell them what the general said.

"He said that he didn't think it was a very good idea, and the rules were made for a specific reason." Daniel looked ready to pop when Jack held up a hand.

"But, he also said that he would not interfere. That as long as you two behaved as professionals on missions and while here on base. He would consider contacting the president and getting you two a special dispensation. He said to warn you that he'd be watching." He told his two friends, hoping beyond hope that it would all turn out all right.

Sam sighed relieved "Oh thank God, no court martial."

"He really said he'd try and get us a special dispensation?" Daniel asked wanting to make sure that he heard correctly.

"Yes he did." Jack clapped his hands together "Now for the good news. Janet has consented to be my wife." He told them

Daniel smiled "Congratulations Jack, Janet. We can't tell you how happy we are for you." Shaking Jack's hand and kissing Janet on the cheek he pulled back and let Sam get in there and give a hug to her friends.

"I'm so happy for you guys." Sam hugged Janet and demanded to see the ring. She ooh'ed and ahh'ed appropriately over the diamond.

"So Jack." Daniel began "Obviously Hammond doesn't have a problem with you or Janet." Obviously more than just a bit jealous.

Jack shook his head "He says in our case it's because our job descriptions are so different and because Janet and I aren't on the same team." Jack put his arm around his friend "It's going to be okay Daniel, you got my word on that." He promised then remembered "Hey I'm going to need a best man, after we set the date."

"Me?"

"Duh, who else." Jack smiled at his friend

Daniel smiled happily clapping his hands together, "You got it, hey we gotta go out and celebrate this tonight."

"Sure sounds like a plan to me." Jack turned to look at the overhead clock "Listen Janet and I are leaving a bit early today. We gotta go home and tell Cassie the news; we also have to have a serious talk with her. But how about after you guys get off you come and get us."

"Sure how about seven." Sam asked

"Sounds great." Janet smiled at her maid of honor "We'll see you then."

Cassie stared at the two adults facing her "So you two are getting married?" She asked again just to be sure that her hearing was working the way it should.

"Yes honey, your mother and I wanted to talk to you about this." Jack said nervously, hell this was harder than popping the question to Janet "You know we want to know how you feel about this."

Suddenly Jacks arms were full of a flying sixteen year old "It's about time." She told them, releasing Jack she hugged her mother "I thought you two would never get your butts in gear." She complained happy for her mother and her soon to be stepfather.

"So you're okay with this?" Janet asked her seriously knowing that big changes were going to be coming to the entire family.

Cassie smiled hugging her again "Oh you bet I am, I love the both of you. Not to mention that you're perfect for each other."

"There is just one more thing." Jack asked looking at Janet for approval, Janet nodded her head.

"With your permission Cassie." Jack swallowed hard "I'd like to adopt you as well, so that you'd really be my daughter." He said a bit nervous to become a father again.

Cassie's breath was caught in her chest "Does that mean I get to call you dad."

Jack smiled happily "Yes it does."

"Oh daddy, you've made me so happy." Cassie cried in Jacks arms

The White House, west wing Washington D.C.

Daniel stood in his new suit watching the guard check his and Sam's ID's. Nervously fidgeting with his tie, he once again was grateful that Sam had insisted he buy the suit. The price tag alone on the tie had nearly given him a heart attack, but he bought it anyway. Sam said that he looked devilishly handsome in the suit, and if pressed he would have to admit that he could not deny anything to Sam.

"Will you stop it." Sam sighed standing next to him in full dress uniform "You are making me nervous." She complained, but Sam knew that she would be nervous anyway; it was not every day that you met the commander and chief of the armed forces at his home.

"I'm sorry." Daniel forced his hands to his sides "But being here is extremely nerve wracking." He told her "God what I wouldn't give for a cup of coffee right now." He complained.

"Major Carter, Dr. Jackson?" A young black man approached them

"Yes" Sam nodded to him

"My name is Charlie Young, I am the President's personal aide. If you will just follow me please." He motioned them forward

"Of course." Sam and Daniel followed the young man who led them through the offices where hectic activity was buzzing around everywhere.

"The President and his staff are waiting for you in the situation room." Charlie explained to them as he walked by them

Sam was startled "We aren't late are we?" That would not be a good way to start the meeting.

Charlie shook his head smiling at the two's obvious nervousness "No Ma'am, the President has been so anxious to meet you that he's been there all morning. I have to say that I'm pretty excited myself."

"Charles Young." Daniel said remembering the name "You are going with us."

"Yes sir." Charlie was buzzing with excitement

CJ Cregg paced the floor waiting for the arrival of the SGC representatives. Walking over to Josh who stood by the coffee machine she murmured.

"Why do we have to be here again?"

Josh poured milk into his coffee "Because Major Carter and Dr. Jackson are going to explain to us why it is safe to have some ancient machine rip us apart to the molecular level and shoot us through space at about a billion miles an hour and rebuild us on the other side." He explained to her.

"Oh" CJ grabbed a cup and began to pour, "So basically we are here to listen to some spinster astrophysicist and some moldy old archeologist to tell us this."

"That's about it." Josh agreed looking around he saw that the entire staff was there waiting. Looking at the clock, he saw that it was still a quarter to nine. Another fifteen minutes of waiting, looking at the president he saw that the man was like a five year old again, practically bouncing in his chair. He was talking animatedly to Sam Seaborn and to Donna who was acting no better than the president was. Ever since she had found out about the mission to Abydos, it has been all she could think about, all she talked about any more. So much so that Josh had broken down and gotten her a book about Egyptology for Christmas, which reminded him he had to wrap the gifts tonight. It was nine o'clock on the nose when there was a knock on the door, it opened, and Charlie Young entered the room followed by two people.

"Mr. President, may I present Major Carter and Dr. Jackson."

Josiah Bartlett stood up and went over to shake their hands.

CJ smiled appreciatively at the young handsome archeologist "Moldy old archeologist my ass."

Josh smiled next to her staring at the lovely woman before him "Spinster astrophysicist my ass."

Sam stood at attention and saluted "Mr. President."

Bartlett returned the salute and held out a warm hand "Major Carter, a pleasure to finally meet you, Dr. Jackson an honor."

"The honor is mine Mr. President." Daniel bent slightly at the hips

Bartlett motioned to the chairs around the table "Please come in and sit down, let me introduce you to my staff."

Charlie stood by their elbows "May I get you anything? Coffee, tea?"

"Coffee." They both said in unison

"Milk, sugar?"

"One sugar apiece no milk." Sam told him

Bartlett stared at them, but then shook it off. They probably spend a lot of time together on other planets, of course after so much time they knew each others habits."

"Thank you." Daniel smiled gratefully and then said hello as each person in the room was introduced to them. After introductions had been taken care of, Bartlett leaned on the table.

"Okay let's get this briefing started." He said excitedly

"Of course sir." Sam stood up, straightened her skirt, and turned to the stand that had been previously set up. Going through it quickly, she saw that everything was in order for her presentation.

"As you all doubtless know." She began and pulled the first cardboard piece away from the others "This is the Star gate, it was discovered on the Giza plateau in 1928. What made this such an incredible discovery is that the material that the gate is made of is not indigenous to our planet, it is a mineral we call naqueda."

"How strong is this material." Asked Leo staring at the seemingly innocent circle that had changed the world.

"Extremely sir, it has been known to survive intact through a nuclear explosion." She explained, "It is the basis for all Goa'uld technology."

"But you don't believe that the Goa'uld built the Star gate." Sam Seaborn said having finally read some of the star gate reports. He stared at the two people before him; both had suffered a lot at the hands of the Goa'uld.

"No sir we don't. The Goa'uld are a parasitic race, Dr. Jackson and I believe that the gate was discovered by the Goa'uld and taken from the original makers. We believe that the original Star gates were created by a race we call the Ancients."

"And who are they, exactly?" asked Sam Seaborn

"We don't know exactly sir." Sam admitted to them "They are or were an extremely old race, thousands and thousands of years ago. Before us, before the Goa'uld, their technology at that time was very much greater than ours. We believe that the Goa'uld simply found the Star gates and made use of them."

"How does the Star gate work?" Asked CJ

"We aren't completely sure." Sam admitted, "The technology is still far ahead of us, the physics involved are way beyond us. We are making progress everyday, but we are still a long way from being able to replicate it ourselves. Somehow the Ancients were able to harness pure energy and use it to create a stable wormhole through space."

"If they were so advanced, why didn't they just build ships?" asked Josh curiously

"They had ships sir." Sam told him "But there is just so fast that we can go in normal space even through hyperspace, and a journey through space in a ship could take several months if not years. The Star gate allows for nearly instantaneous travel from one part of the galaxy to another, think of it as a cosmic shortcut."

The president looked at the young woman before him "What can we expect going through the gate?"

Sam looked around the table and her eyes settled on the president not wanting to get anyone too nervous about gate travel "Well Mr. President it affects different people in different ways. What we do know is that it will cause nausea and you will feel very cold once you reach your destination. This is due to the split second that it takes the gate to reconstitute you on the other side of the gate. You may experience headaches..."

"Nothing permanent however." The President asked a bit nervously

"That is correct Mr. President, I have been gate traveling for six years now with no side effects. The nausea does go away after a moment and disappears completely after going a few times through the gate." She smiled at him winningly

Bartlett nodded and turned eagerly to Daniel Jackson "Dr. Jackson, what is the planet Abydos like?" he asked

Daniel smiled leaning his elbows on the table as Sam sat down "Well Mr. President, it is truly like stepping back in time. The Star gate is located in the antechamber of a pyramid, it is an exact replica as the one at Giza except that it is about twice the size and is in perfect condition, as you would expect it to be if you were in ancient Egypt. Once you step outside, Abydos is a desert the air is arid and is extremely hot due to the two suns. A day's walk from there is the Abydoinian Township; the houses are all made of clay and straw. Some of the structures are even three stories tall, the entire city is protected by a man made wall which stretches around the city, it can be used to defend the town but mostly it is used to keep out the worst of the sandstorms. Some of the streets are even paved with cobblestones that the masons have made over the time that they have been there. Most nights are cool, and the people gather in the square, they eat together, tell stories, sing songs, drink the local wine and just enjoy themselves. During the day the people, all do their work; the women spin cloth to make rugs and tapestries as well as clothes. Some of the men go and work the Naquedah mines, which we purchase from them in trade. Others do the farming and herd the animals; there is even a place where people gather to grind Yapheta flour for the making of the local bread. The very young children play in the square and later gather in the local school, during my time with them I taught some of them to read and to write. They in turn teach it to the young, so that none will ever again forget their history, reading and writing had been forbidden to them by Ra. The local day lasts 36 hours compared to our 24, so as you can imagine the work day is longer than most, but then again the night lasts longer as well."

Bartlett had closed his eyes when Daniel first began to speak, in his minds eye he could see the world that Jackson described. It was truly remarkable, a living bit of history. Opening his eyes he saw that Dr. Jackson had stopped speaking and was waiting patiently for the president, he probably thought I was asleep. The president thought wryly.

"I can see that you must have been an excellent teacher, Dr. Jackson." Bartlett smiled "Just by closing my eyes I could practically see the town you described. I can't wait to see it for myself, especially the Cartouche room."

Daniel smiled excitedly as well, "I found that room about a month or so after I arrived on Abydos. It is the archeological find of the century. The walls are made of gold and inscribed on them are thousands and thousands of Star gate addresses. Huge statues also line against the walls, all of them in pristine condition, just sitting there waiting to be found."

"How much gold?" Josh asked interested

Daniel shrugged "I have no idea actually, at least couple of tons maybe more."

"And you weren't tempted to melt it down and make ingots out of it. You could be a very wealthy man Dr. Jackson." Josh told him

Daniel looked mortified by the very idea "I could never destroy it. The history in that room alone that would be lost because of that. I would have been just as happy to spend the rest of my life in that room trying to discover all of it's secrets."

"Okay Josh." The President stepped in "Dr. Jackson is correct, it is the history that is important. So stop playing with him."

"Tell me Dr. Jackson, what could we give the Abydonian people to show our support of them."

Daniel smiled he'd been waiting for this "Books, Mr. President. All sorts of books, on history, science, math, children's stories, mysteries anything and everything. The one thing that I want the people of Abydos to do is to start thinking on their own. To read poetry and write some of their own and such. They are very smart people, most of them managed to learn a lot of English in the year I was there. They can read it, speak it, and write it, to a limited degree."

"Couldn't we just give them other things like machines and train them to use it?" Sam asked, knowing that just educating these people was not enough.

"Not yet." Daniel shook his head "The people of Abydos aren't ready for that yet. They were amazed the first time that they saw a zippo lighter, a pen is something incredible to them. If we gave them technology too fast, it would be like handing a loaded gun to a caveman. He wouldn't know what to do with it and sooner or later someone would get hurt." Daniel warned them "We have to take it slowly, that starts with education. For instance, they already know how to farm, if we gave them a book about modern farming techniques they could increase their crop yields. It is like the old saying, give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat forever. That is what we must do for them."

"Agreed." The president nodded "CJ, you will start to gather the books together. Make it a wide eclectic collection; enough for a library use your judgment. You can talk to Dr. Jackson about specifics."

"Yes Mr. President." CJ smiled looking at the archeologist

Sam saw the look on the woman's face and decided that she was going to be present at that meeting. It was not that she did not trust Daniel that had been settled beyond a shadow of a doubt. Sam however did not trust this Miss Cregg with Daniel.

Cheyenne Mountain

Same day

Kennedy stepped into the briefing room where SG 13 sat patiently waiting. Looking around he saw that his team was assembled and ready for the briefing.

"Everyone is well I trust." Kennedy began "Dr. Yates, how is your side?" he inquired politely

Annie smiled, "Better sir, Dr. Hammond says that the knife hit mostly muscle no internal damage." She told him "I'm ready to go."

Kennedy nodded relieved that she was alright, "Good, I'm sorry that you didn't get a chance to enjoy your last privilege but a situation has arisen that needs our immediate attention. I will say that once this mission is accomplished, your next privilege will be spending Christmas with your families. They are going to be flown down here at the military's expense and you can spend Christmas day with them. I will go into the details when you return." He promised them "Now your next assignment is to planet Q1S 749, original recon of this planet was conducted by SG 9 and found a early Greek society living there. At that time we left a linguist there to study the people and learn what he could from them, that was six months ago. It now seems that the settlement is under attack by hostile forces that are also indigenous to the planet. They are killing everyone there, it is your job to provide cover while SG 3, and 9 evacuate the small population there. We have found another planet where these people can settle down and live peacefully. It is our hope that by doing this we can show others that it is in their best interest to ally themselves with us against the Goa'uld. That we are not just soldiers but that we are humanitarians as well."

"What kind of weapons are they using?" Gabriel asked getting them down to business.

"Spears, swords no projectile weapons if that is what you mean." Kennedy told them

"How long will the evacuation take?" Annie asked him

"The Arcadians as they are called have already been notified that we are coming to assist them. They should have most of their belongings already packed and ready to go. The population is about six or seven hundred men, women and children. Since we cannot keep them all here the way we are going to work, this is in groups of fifty. Fifty of the local population will step through the gate, we will deactivate it and establish a worm hole to another planet and disembark them there where two more SG teams are waiting for them, we also have to let the gate recharge. If everything goes smoothly, we should have the entire job done in about eight to ten hours."

Gabriel nodded making some notes about what they would need "How big is this attacking force?"

"Big" Kennedy told them "At least five hundred hostiles are said to be in the area possibly more."

Gabriel shook his head "What are our orders regarding them?"

"If they do nothing we do nothing, if they attack while we are evacuating the Arcadians." Kennedy shrugged "Then we must use force to hold them off long enough to get the Arcadians through the gate. However, it is our hope that they will let the Arcadians leave peacefully. SG 9's linguist has spoken to them and he thinks that they will allow the population to leave. However I do stress the fact that he only thinks this, he cannot be positive."

"We're going to need a lot of fire power." Gabe shook his head at the colonel not liking the mission, four of them to hold off five hundred hostiles.

"What are the defenses like?" Gabriel asked hoping for some good news at least

Kennedy saw the look on the groups face, and he knew that their chances were not good if the locals decided to attack and not let the Arcadians leave.

"Pretty good actually." He began "The city is surrounded on two sides by a natural land mass, in this case a very tall mountain. The other two sides face out towards the enemy. There is a tall wall made of stone protecting those two sides and there is a 100 meter clearing before the tree line."

"100 meters." Gabriel shook his head "That's not much room to play with. I think that we had better take two 'buzz guns' as well as the standard issue. Hand grenades, plenty of those actually, hey do we have any Hades grenades?" Gabriel asked

"Hades Grenades?" Kennedy asked never having heard of them himself

"Yeah, they are like napalm hand size." He explained

"I'll find out." He promised, "What else will you need?"

"Plenty of ammo, couple of LAW's rockets might be nice, sniper rifles for Sam and me. Are we doing this at night or in the day?"

"We're beginning it at 0400 hours our time, it will still be night over there. Sunrise is at 0700 hours our time."

Gabe nodded and added "Some big ass flares to illuminate the area. Some night vision goggles to keep watch."

"Very well, I'll have it ready to go. In addition, you are also going to be taking a large supply of food and water with you. The Arcadians have been cut off for three days now from their food sources so they are pretty hungry. Your team will be the last to leave the planet, one of the SG teams will let you know when they are evac'ing the last of the civilians and then I want you to drop everything and get your butts back through the gate. You leave in eight hours." Kennedy announced standing up "Good luck."

"Okay guys, let's get some shut eye, four hours no more." Gabriel told them "Then I want weapons breakdown and checked. We can't afford any mistakes on this one. I'll see you guys later."

"Where are you going?" Annie asked

"I'll be spending that time with my daughter." He told them "I'll catch some sleep there."

"Okay." Link smiled grimly, he knew that he was not going to get any sleep now. Probably none of them would. Four holding off five hundred, this was a real suicide mission. Shaking his head, he made his way out.

"I shoulda been a fireman like my father." He mumbled to himself "But no, I had to join the navy and see the world. Shit."

"Daddy!" Josie smiled sitting in her bed in the VIP room that they had assigned her

"Hi pumpkin." Gabriel smiled and laid down on the bed "How are you feeling today?" he asked rubbing her back

"Great" She smiled "Janet says that after she checks me out one more time that I can finally get out of bed." She told him relieved that soon she could get up and moving around. Lying in bed was fun in the beginning but now Josie was ready to scream from the boredom.

"That's good." He said distractedly

Josie looked at her father and knew that his mind was a million miles away "Then she said that she was going to give me a pregnancy test. So with any luck you'll be a grandfather soon."

"That's good." Gabriel smiled; it took several moments for the words to filter through "WHAT!"

Josie began to laugh hysterically "Got ya." She said patting her father on the head "That's what you get for not listening to me."

"Oh honey." Gabriel said grabbing his jumping heart "Don't ever do that to me again. I am way too young to be a grandfather. Also if you love me at all you'll wait until you are sixty to get pregnant."

"What's wrong Daddy?" Josie asked seriously, "Your mind is a million miles away."

"I have to go away for awhile." He told her

"Another mission?" at his nod Josie buried her head into his chest "Promise me that you'll be careful."

Gabriel ran his fingers through her hair "I promise" he told her and then remembered "How did your visit with Dr. Mackenzie go?"

"Okay." Josie shrugged "He says that it's normal to be afraid to be alone after what happened. That it wasn't my fault that I didn't defend myself." She told him ashamed

Gabriel stared at his daughter, this is what he had been afraid of, "It's not your fault, and only a fool or a madman is not afraid when someone is holding a gun at you." He told her "Besides I didn't want you to learn the martial arts so that you'd be a female ninja going around kicking ass. That is not the life I want for you." Taking her hands he sat up on the bed "You my daughter are a singer, one day I'll be sitting in the audience watching you perform in operas and doing arias. I've missed too many of your performances as it is."

"Then why did you want me to learn?" she asked wiping at her eyes

Gabriel sighed, "It is all I have to offer you." He explained to her "I don't have money, I can't sing like an angel the way that you do, I'm not overly smart, I will never teach you to use a gun. The only thing that I have to offer is the training that I received. It is my legacy to you, so that you can teach your children and they can teach theirs. The martial arts are not about fighting, it is about perfecting your mind and body and soul to act as one without hesitation."

"But I did hesitate." She told him shaking like a leaf "I was so afraid, that I couldn't move." She said wrapping her arms around herself.

"That is not true." Lifting her chin, he looked into her tear stained eyes "Cassie told me what happened, she told me that you stood up between her and that gunman. That is courage." He told her "You can learn to fight, you can learn to shoot and you can even learn to kill. Those are the easy things to learn, the hardest thing to do sometimes is to just stand. To stand up for what you believe in, to stand up in the face of certain doom to stand for what you know is right and to hold your head up high. You did that, you stood up for what you knew was right, to protect your friend and to keep her from harm. If you learn nothing else from me remember this, courage is not the absence of fear, real courage is to recognize the fear and to realize that there are something's that are more important than fear, and you did that. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to have such a brave daughter."

Josie smiled throwing her arms around her father "I thought that you thought I was a coward."

"Never" Gabriel hugged her back "I could never think that, but I never realized how truly brave you really are, and I can't help but feel truly blessed to have you for my daughter."

Janet knocked on the door and entered the room. Pausing she saw that Gabriel was there holding Josie who was still crying. At his nod, Janet smiled and entered the room crossing over to the bed.

"Hi Josie, Gabe."

"Aunt Janet." Josie smiled wiping away her tears "You're finally going to spring me." She asked excitedly.

"I don't know." Janet said sternly reaching into her pocket pulling out a CD "I should keep you here until you tell me why you never told us that you are a recording artist." Holding out the CD Josie could see it was one of hers from when she sang at the London opera house.

Josie blushed pink "It's no big deal." She protested averting her eyes embarrassed

Gabriel smiled taking the CD "It's a very big deal."

"Yes it is." Janet agreed "Cassie was in the record store at the mall when she found this one, she very nearly had a heart attack. You have about four or five other ones there as well. We listened to it last night." Janet told her "You sing beautifully, like an angel."

"Thanks." Josie continued to blush turning her even pinker.

"One thing though" Janet told her "I was asked to do this by Colonel O'Neill." She added by way of explanation "As you doubtless know by now the President and the first lady and their daughter are all coming here in a couple of months to visit us."

"Yes, Cassie told me." Josie smiled excitedly, hoping she could find some way to finagle her way into a meeting.

"Well Jack wants to know if you would be willing to sing for the President. It seems that the President is a big opera fan."

Gabriel saw the look on his daughter's face, but he held up a hand "I don't know Janet." He began

"Dad!" Josie looked mortified, this is her chance to really hit the big time. This is the kind of performance other singers would kill for.

"Well, Josie is a professional singer." Gabriel began "There should be some sort of compensation for her performance." He told the petite doctor

Narrowing her eyes at him, she asked what he wanted.

"Nothing." Josie said quickly "I'd do it for free do you know the publicity I would get for singing for the President? My career could sky-rocket."

Gabriel held up a hand "Not so fast honey. You might want to do it for free, but I have a price."

"What?" Janet asked suspiciously

"One afternoon of shopping at this mall for SG 13." He told her "After this mission we are getting to spend Christmas with our families. I think that it would only be fair that my team should get some cash to be able to buy some gifts for our loved ones."

"How much cash?" Janet asked

"A month's pay at our former ranks, that's not all that much considering how much we've given in the way of free service." Gabriel shrugged.

"No" Janet had to agree "That's not too much to ask for, but going to the mall. I don't know if we'll be able to get Kennedy to go for that."

"You can have as many armed guards as you want. Dressed in civilian clothes of course. Just one afternoon to feel like we are human again." Gabriel shut his eyes imagining what that would be like.

"I'll talk to Kennedy." Janet promised

"Next." Gabriel began

"Dad!"

"Honey relax." He told her "We want Josie's performance to be held outdoors of the mountain. Stage set up, it won't cost you a cent. The orchestra will be a military one of course and grounds and maintenance will have a stage. You could invite the families of the others maybe the press, and have some more local talent appear. Like Daisy." He pointed out to Josie.

Josie began to get excited, "Daisy? I haven't sang with her in a long time." Josie smiled, her father was going to make sure that she got loads of publicity "With her I can do a duet." She said excitedly

"Janet have you ever heard Daisy and Josie sing Pie Jezu?" Gabriel asked "It will bring tears to your eyes."

"Daisy sings?" Janet asked learning new things about her junior officer all the time.

"She is the one who first taught me." Josie admitted "I used to sing for fun before that, but Daisy was the first to see that I had potential to make it as a professional. So she began to voice coach me, she even argued with my grandfather to make sure that I got a voice coach when I had to leave."

"I'll see what we can do." Janet promised them, and then got down to the business at hand "Well, let's see how you are doing young lady so that we can get you out of bed." She announced reaching for her penlight, "Cassie is already waiting outside the door bursting to get in."

Janet made her way out of the room smiling at her waiting daughter.

"Just give her a few minutes to get ready Cassie honey. Josie wants to take a shower and get changed."

"She's alright then mom?" Cassie asked seriously after worrying for her friend most of the week.

"She is perfectly fine." Janet told her

Cassie sighed with relief then she asked, "What did she say about me finding the CD?"

Janet smiled at her "Josie didn't think that it was a very big deal that's why she never mentioned it."

"Not a big deal?" Cassie's eyes bugged out "Mom I looked her up on the inter-net, there are web-sites dedicated to her. The Josie Fuentes fan club, the I love Josie Fuentes site, the dedicated to the most beautiful opera singer Josie Fuentes site. The girl is famous." Cassie said awed

"And she is your best friend." Janet pointed out smiling at her daughter

"Yes she is." Cassie smiled proudly, then her features darkened "Although I don't know what would have happened if those men had taken her."

Janet became serious; Cassie had also been seeing Dr. Mackenzie as a result of the attack on them.

"She's fine, you're fine, and no one is ever going to do anything like that ever again. I won't allow it to happen." Janet promised her daughter hugging her tightly

"Thanks mom." Cassie smiled hugging her back "I know that you and dad won't let that happen again."

Janet smiled; Cassie had not stopped calling Jack, dad, since they were engaged. If truth were told, Janet would have it no other way. Janet had even talked to Jack about her coming off the pill, to see if maybe they could have another child. Janet had to laugh as she remembered Jack rushing into the bathroom, coming out with her pills, and throwing them out the window.

"There's your answer." He told her smiling getting back into bed

Yes, she was very lucky

"Still" Cassie said looking at her mother "You and dad can't always be around." She pointed out reasonably "I would like to know that I could take care of myself." She began shyly.

Janet eyed her daughter; she knew that there was something going on here "Cassie?"

Gabriel opened the door and smiled at Cassie hugging the girl.

"Is Josie ready?" Cassie asked excitedly trying to deflect her mothers' questions.

"Not yet." He told her "But Josie just asked me to do something, and I want to know from you and your mother if it is alright to do it."

"What?" Janet asked curious at Gabriel's serious expression

Gabriel looked at Cassie "Josie tells me that you've been asking her to teach you the martial arts." So that is it, Janet sighed relieved, well maybe she should enroll Cassie for some lessons. "She also tells me that the two of you have performed the blood ceremony." Gabriel continued.

Cassie's eyes flashed to her mother whose eyes were getting bigger by the second, "Yes we're already like sisters, that just made us closer." Cassie admitted remembering how they had done that soon after Josie had regained consciousness. Cassie had been so grateful to her friend for standing up for her, willing to put herself in front of a gun for her. It seemed the right thing to do at that moment, to become sisters.

"Cassie!" Janet was shocked "Why didn't you tell me that." She asked staring at her daughter.

Cassie winced, it wasn't such a big deal after all "I didn't want you to worry mom. Besides, I wanted to wait until Josie gave me an answer before I asked for your permission. The blood thing was just a spur of the moment thing. We pricked our thumbs and held them together."

Gabriel shook his head softly "She can't teach you." Gabriel told her "She is still a student herself."

"Oh..." Cassie was obviously disappointed

"But" Gabriel began "Since you have gone through the ceremony with my daughter, that makes you Tanaka clan, just like Daniel. You are a part of us now. Did Josie explain what that entails?"

Cassie shook her head "Not really, she just said that it made us sisters."

"It does." Gabriel admitted "It also makes you a part of our family, you may look at me like another father, Chun-li as your uncle. You are now a part of something greater than just yourself; your enemies are now the enemies of the Tanakas. Whoever threatens you, threatens us, and the Tanaka's don't put up with threats. Your fears are our fears; your joys are our joys. If you ever need anything, money, a job, a place to stay, anything at all. The Tanakas will be only too happy to provide it for you. You are now part of a tradition that goes back over a thousand years. It is a great honor that Josie has given you. With the permission of your mother, I will begin your training to become samurai."

Janet looked completely shocked, Cassie on the other hand looked excited.

"What is a samurai?" she asked her eyes shining brightly

"Samurai is an old term, it means to serve." Gabriel told her, wanting the girl to understand what she was getting into. "A samurai is a warrior, a samurai is a man or woman of honor, courage and lives by a code of conduct known as bushido. To become a samurai is a difficult task Cassie, I won't lie to you. There will be times in your training that you will come to hate and curse my very existence. However I do it because I care, to make you strong, to be a samurai is the greatest honor we can hold. If you complete the training, there is nothing in this life that you have to prove to anyone."

"I'm not sure about this." Janet began remembering the methods of Chun-li

"Oh mom please." Cassie begged

"I am not my Uncle." Gabriel told her, seeing her obvious fears "My methods of training are very different, besides I won't be teaching her the dark arts. I thought it better to start with aikido."

"No assassination stuff." Janet made sure

Gabriel shook his head "No, not even Josie began with Ninjitsu. She also began with aikido; only later if a child shows promise is the offer of teaching ninjitsu made. Then it is up to that person to decide. I figure that Cassie should be over twenty by then."

"Okay" Janet relented, as long as there was no assassination training involved she saw no reason why her daughter shouldn't learn to defend herself. Although she was going to sit down and have a very serious talk with both Cassie and Josie about doing "Blood ceremonies" with other people. It was just a good thing that she knew that both girls were healthy and that it was only a few drops they shared.

"You can teach her." Janet told him

"Yippee!" Cassie was excited

Gabriel looked at his watch; he still had three hours "Okay then, let's see if you're just as excited after your first lesson. Go find some workout gear and meet us in the gym for your first lesson."

Cassie tore off like a shot down the passageway.

"Thanks Gabriel." Janet smiled at the large man "I was thinking of enrolling her for some self defense classes, after what happened."

"Yes it is a good thing to learn these days. Don't worry Janet, I'll take it easy on her, even Chun-li doesn't have the heart to hurt girls." He promised her

Janet eyed the man carefully "But boys is a different story?"

"Somewhat." He admitted

"Someday you are going to have to tell me about it."

"Someday." He agreed with his friend "I better get going, I have a mission in a few hours."

"Mission?"

Gabriel nodded "Yeah, not a very nice one either."

"You're going to help with the evac of Q1S 749?"

"Yes, SG 13 is providing cover for them." He explained

"Cover?" She listened as Gabriel glossed over the particulars but did tell her there might be casualties "That sounds dangerous." Janet sighed; the suicide squad gets no breaks

"It is dangerous." Gabriel agreed

The door opened behind them and Josie was standing there wearing standard a SGC sweat suit.

"Ready?" Gabriel asked with a smile

"Sure am, are you going to do it?" She asked her father

Gabriel nodded "Yes, Janet has given her permission and Cassie is going to get changed. Let's get going to the gym, I don't have too much time."

"Okay."

Janet watched father and daughter walk towards the elevators

"Cassie did what?" Jack asked incredulously

"You heard." Janet said wearily "She and Josie shared a blood ritual. They pricked their thumbs and pressed them together."

"And Gabriel is going to teach her to be an assassin?" Jack was furious

"No!" Janet told him placing her hands on his "Calm down Jack, Gabe is not going to do that. He is going to teach her some martial arts, something called aikido."

"Aikido?" Jack began to relax a bit "That's different, that I've heard of." He said getting his breathing back under control. Jack liked Gabriel, but he would kill the man if he did anything to endanger Cassie's life.

"What is it anyway?" Janet asked curiously "Is that like karate?"

Jack shook his head sipping his coffee, "No, it teaches people how to use their opponents weight against them." He explained to her "How to manipulate the body through pressure points. That's like what Steven Segal does; he's an aikido master. It's very effective, and I guess it is good for women, since most men outweigh them and are stronger than women. Aikido teaches how to use your opponents strength against them, while you exert a minimal amount of strength."

Janet sighed relieved "I do want Cassie to learn something though." She told him "This latest incident just shows me that we live in a very dangerous world. I want our daughter to be able to protect herself."

"You're right" Jack hated to admit it, but he couldn't always be by Cassie's side to protect her, no matter how much he might want to "I'm just a little jealous that she didn't ask me to teach her." He smiled sheepishly and just a bit hurt.

Janet smiled taking his hand "To Cassie you aren't like that, oh she knows that you're a soldier. But to her you have always been Uncle Jack, the guy who likes to have a good time and have fun, someone she can horse around with, the man who gave her, her first dog. While Gabriel is a lot more serious, and since Cassie has been hanging around Josie and Chun-li, she has seen with her own eyes what they can do. I'd be surprised if Josie hasn't probably already shown her a few things."

Jack nodded, she was right. He had taken particular care not to show Cassie that part of himself. Probably afraid that the girl would not like him anymore or worse yet be afraid of him. Jack knew that he could not take that.

Janet continued, "I just never realized what sharing this blood ceremony entailed." She was awed

"What?" Jack asked curious as well

"I thought it was just an honorary thing." Janet told him "But it's so much more, Gabriel says that Cassie is now Tanaka clan as well, just like Daniel. That means that if anyone ever threatens Cassie, they threaten the whole clan and the clan will protect her. Anything that Cassie ever needs, like a job or even a home. The Tanaka clan will provide it. This is a very serious thing with them."

Jack shook his head still unable to believe it. Trying to change the subject, Jack asked, "So speaking of Josie, what did she say. Will she do it?" he asked excitedly.

"She was all for it." Janet held up a hand before Jack got too excited "Gabe has a price though." She explained what Gabriel wanted in return for his daughter's performance.

"Well" Jack considered rubbing his chin "That doesn't sound too horrifying, actually it sounds more than fair. You know I did some discrete poking around."

"Oh yeah." Janet smiled "You know you really turn me on when you're being sneaky." She whispered seductively

Jack's face lit up "I'm going to have to remember that." He told her "What I mean is I checked to see what these opera performers make."

Curious as well Janet asked, "Well what did you find out?"

Jack shook his head amazed "I should have been born able to sing."

"That much?" Janet was surprised

"Well your typical performer makes about two grand a performance and can make a damn fine living on that. Especially if they are in a long running hit, the problem is hits are few and far between." He told her "But Josie is not your typical performer, she is a star attraction who besides having starring roles, has had solo shows all over the world. She can make as much as fifty to a hundred thousand or more a performance and has." He told her "Just last year she sold out three performances at Lincoln Center in New York and made an estimated three hundred thousand a performance." Jack shook his head almost a million dollars for a weekends work.

"A performance!" Janet was shocked at the amount

Jack nodded and continued, "Janet that little girl can buy this mountain if she wanted." He explained, "I got on the Internet and looked up some figures, her recording contract alone is in the high seven figure range and she only has to do one more record to complete that contract. The buzz on the net is that her next contract is going to be anywhere from twenty to thirty million dollars. Then there is merchandising, performances and the like. She is one rich sixteen year old, she's been doing this since she was ten professionally. Her CD's have gone platinum and the last double platinum and she gets a big cut of that, video sales too." Jack stared at her incredulously "Janet, the girl is sixteen years old and she has already written her life story and the book was a best seller. They have sold the rights to Hollywood to make it into a movie and they want Josie to play herself in it. The financial world puts her net worth from anywhere between 50 to 100 million dollars. The word on the net is that she is just going to get bigger and more famous as time goes by. The big worry a few years ago was that when she reached puberty her voice would change, that worry is over now. If we could get her to perform for the president for a few grand, it would be more than worth it. Shit the President probably has already heard of her if he's a big an opera fan as he claims. If we could get her to perform, the President will be impressed as hell."

Janet shook her head in utter shock "A multi-millionaire by sixteen." She said amazed, realizing that Jack was right they were definitely in the wrong profession "And she has a good head on her shoulders and a good heart. Who doesn't believe that this is all a big deal, and most impressive of all is that she doesn't flaunt her money in people's faces." Looking out the window, Janet saw Daisy making some entries onto a chart

"One second, there is more to this story as well." Opening the door, she called out "Daisy, could you come in here for a minute?"

"Sure"

Daisy walked into the office and smiled at Janet "I guess that Josie is all right?"

"Fine" Janet told her "She and Gabriel are working out with Cassie."

Daisy cringed "Josie told me what she and Cassie did. She asked me not to tell you, they wanted to tell you themselves." She explained

"That's alright." Janet waved it away "What I called you in for is to tell you that Josie has been asked to perform for the president."

"Really?" Daisy asked happily, she knew that Josie had the talent. Ever since the day, she heard a six-year-old girl singing in the tub Ave Maria. It had surprised her that the little girl had ever even heard of the aria. But she was amazed when she heard the beauty of the little girls voice.

Janet nodded then looked at Jack "Yes, Josie also tells me that you are the one who taught her how to sing." Jack looked at the doctor before him surprised.

Daisy blushed "I didn't teach her much." She protested lightly

"That's not what Gabe and Josie tell me." Janet argued, "Not only that Josie has requested that you sing with her a duet of Pie Jezu. Which Gabe has promised me will bring tears to my eyes."

Daisy blanched "I couldn't, I'm not good enough to perform with Josie and not for the President." She was shocked to be even considered for the part

"Oh but you will, captain." Major Janet Fraiser promised, "If we can get Josie you will perform with her, at least that one song. What I want to know is why you never told me that you're an opera singer." She demanded to know that her friend could keep such a thing a secret from her.

Daisy smiled at the very thought "I'm not, my voice is no where near powerful enough to be an opera singer. I had dreams of it when I was Josie's age, my father even paid for me to take lessons. I have a pretty good voice, I could probably make a decent living at it maybe doing minor roles or in the chorus, and maybe even Broadway musicals, but Josie has a great voice. The kind of voice that comes once every few generations, I knew it when I first heard her sing, she was six years old singing in the tub and I nearly wept wishing I had a voice like hers. I remember her first professional performance; she stunned the world with her voice. That such a powerful instrument could come from such a small frame."

"That does it." Jack told them "I'm going to convince the general and Kennedy to give Gabe what he wants for this performance. Even if I gotta take up a collection from the men."

Daisy was surprised "You mean Gabriel wants something for her performance?"

"Not much." Janet told her "He only wants SG 13 to get some money to be able to buy some Christmas gifts for their families. They're all coming up for Christmas, so he wants a months pay at their former ranks and an afternoon at the mall."

"Oh" Daisy was relieved "Is that all, Gabe always swore that he would never take advantage of his daughters gift. Now that she's a star I was afraid that Gabe might be going back on his word."

"Janet you got that CD." Jack pocketed the disc and made his way to the door "I'm going to see the General and Kennedy about this right now."

"SG Teams 3, 9, and 13, you have a go." The general announced "God speed."

"Let's go men." Major Howell of SG3 called out heading towards the gate

"SG 9 move out." Lt colonel Franks called out once SG 3 was gone

Lt Harvey Harrison was excited, this was his first trip through the Stargate and he could not wait to go through. In fact, this was his first experience with a combat situation and he was anxious to show everyone his mettle. That even though he was young he was more than capable of holding his own against the enemy. Walking up to the gate he stepped through.

"Well, I guess we should go too." Gabriel muttered to his men "Sam, Link send the FRED's through first."

Sam and Link guided the machines through the gate, one loaded down with their weapons and ammunition and the other with emergency rations for the Arcadians. Once both FRED's were through Gabe nodded to his people.

"Let's do it." He announced and stepped through the gate.

"Good luck." Kennedy whispered to them when they were gone

They reached the other side; Gabe could see the small settlement and was immediately impressed. The Greek influence was everywhere, it was incredible. The buildings were all in pristine condition and the people were dressed in chintons as he would imagine that the early Greeks had. Snapping out of it he saw that one of the men from SG 9 was hopping up and down while the others were trying to keep from snickering at him. Lt. Harrison walked over to Gabe and began to poke him in the chest.

"Hey convict, where the hell did you ever learn to drive these things. That FRED just ran over my foot." He complained

Gabe looked down at the finger in his chest and sighed "Well Lt maybe you should have gotten out of it's way, since we were in transit and had no way of seeing what the hell it was doing." He pointed out reasonably.

"Don't give me that crap convict." Harrison snarled poking at Gabe's chest again

"Lt I suggest that you get that finger out of my chest." Gabe said calmly

Harrison stepped into Gabe's face "What you going to do about it convict."

"You don't want to dance with me boy." Gabriel warned his eyes suddenly blazing

"Lt Harrison." Franks called to him "Leave SG 13 out of this, you should have gotten out of the FRED's way. Now get your ass over here." He ordered

"Calm down Gabe." Link patted him on the shoulder "He's new, just out of boot and just wants to prove what a big man he is."

"Harrison." Franks looked at his newest man "You are not to get into the face of any man or woman at the SGC especially into the faces of SG 13. Dr. Fuentes will chew you up and spit you out before you could say 'oh shit'. Am I understood?" He asked

Harrison blushed "Understood sir." Turning to leave he threw Gabe a dirty look

"Dr. Fuentes." Franks called out to him.

"Yes sir." Gabe went over to him

"We'll start passing out the food here and get everything ready." He then pointed out to where the walls of the city could be seen in the distance "You had better fall out and get into position. Any idea how you're going to work it." He asked

"Yes sir." Gabriel pointed to the wall "Link and myself will be on the west side of the wall with a 'buzz' gun a sniper rifle and regular arms and Dr. Yates and Sam will be on the other side armed similarly. We'll give a yell to you if anything goes down give you time to evac."

"Sounds good doctor. Hopefully nothing will happen." Franks told him

Gabriel nodded hoping nothing would happen either "SG 13 let's move out, Link you got the FRED."

"Right."

"So how we going to play this out." Annie asked as they walked to the wall

"Me and Link on one wall, you and Sammy on the other. One 'buzz' gun apiece and one sniper rifle apiece, and we split the grenades. Sam if anything goes wrong, pick out the men that look like they are in charge and pop them. Hopefully if we get enough of the men in charge, it will discourage the grunts."

"You got it boss." Sam agreed

The team reached the wall and hauled their equipment to the top. At the top, they were met by some of the local men.

"You are the ones that are to protect us?" he asked seeing only four of them wondering where the rest were.

"That's right." Annie smiled

"And you bring a woman?" he asked incredulously

"Listen junior..." Annie began

Gabe held out a hand "We are the ones that are going to protect you, so why don't you and your people get back down to town. We bought food with us and they are giving it out."

"Food!" The men looked half starved, without another word the men headed down the stairs.

"Check comms." Gabriel ordered as he started breaking out the weapons

Annie clicked her earpiece "Falcon this is phoenix come in."

"We're here phoenix come back."

"We've reached the wall and have sent back the local guard. We are now taking position, over."

"That's good phoenix, we'll bring you some food and coffee in a few hours. Once we have everything situated and under control here"

"Sound's like a plan falcon, phoenix out." Turning to Gabe and the others "You all heard?"

"Yeah." Gabe nodded "check our frequency. Test one, two."

"Working fine." Annie smiled "Well good luck boys."

"Same to you." Link smiled as he lifted the weapons and made his way down to take up position.

Two hours later Link turned to Gabe "Quiet tonight." He muttered sipping his coffee

Gabriel smiled at his friend "I'm not complaining."

"Me either."

"Phoenix one, this is Falcon one." They heard on their earpieces

Gabe grabbed his earpiece "Go Falcon one."

"We're starting the evac now sending the first of the refugees now."

"Understood, all quiet on the western front." He told him

"Let's just hope it stays that way phoenix, Falcon out."

The two men looked at each other, it was obvious that no one wanted a fight tonight.

Annie stood holding the big gatling gun staring out at the darkness, she listened as Gabriel and Falcon spoke briefly. She sighed relieved; it would be over in a few hours. Not soon enough for her though, Annie had a bad feeling about this mission. Something was gnawing at her stomach; as if something was going to happen and that something was not going to be good. Trying to get her mind off of it, she thought instead of the handsome man she had just seen with SG 9. He wasn't one of the regular team, Sergeant Torres had told her that the man was a linguist who was bought in from time to time to serve with them. Peter Roberts, he was about Annie's age with black hair and dark brown puppy dog eyes. He was irresistible.

"I got movement." Sam whispered at her side

"Where?" She asked immediately getting her mind back on the mission

"Three o'clock at the edge of the tree line." He told her aiming his rifle in that direction

Adjusting her night vision binoculars, Annie saw the man dressed in some kind of animal skin all painted up just standing at the edge of the trees.

"Hold your fire." She ordered

"Holding until you give the word." Sammy agreed settling his rifle on his target just waiting for the word to shoot.

Annie activated her comm.'s gear "Gabe, we got movement on our side."

"What's he doing?" came the immediate reply

"Nothing, just standing at the edge of the clearing trying to get a peek at us, I think." She admitted

"Don't fire unless he does something threatening. The last thing we want to do is start a war here."

"We're holding." She told him

"Good keep me informed."

"Falcon one, did you receive?" Annie asked

"Yes we did Phoenix two, and agree with Phoenix one. Hold fire."

"Holding Falcon, phoenix out."

Two more hours passed uneventfully, the sun had risen, and the night was over. SG 13 let out a collective sigh of relief. The last thing that they wanted to do was get into a skirmish against a large force in the dark, flares and night vision was good, but it was no comparison to daylight.

"We've got incoming." Sam called out again raising his rifle

Annie jumped up from her sitting position, looked over, and saw two men running towards the wall

"Should I fire?" Sam asked aiming his rifle at what he could now see were boys

"Hold fire." Annie ordered grabbing her earpiece "Gabe we've got two incoming on our side."

"Same here Annie, hold fire until I give the word."

"Phoenix, what's going on?"

"We've got some incoming." Gabriel called out "Nothing to worry about yet, we're going to see what they're up to."

"Very well, let us know immediately if situation changes."

"You got it." Gabriel called out

"They're getting close." Link told him centering the large Gatling gun on them

"Hold fire." Gabriel repeated.

They watched as the strangely dressed men ran forward. When they were about twenty-five meters out they all suddenly stopped.

"They've stopped." Annie called out on her comms

"Here too." Gabe answered back

The men little more than boys dropped their spears to the ground and began to dance around and lifting up their animal skins mooning them.

Gabriel laughed out loud relieved "Hold fire, they are not attacking, I say again they are not attacking. This is a manhood ritual. They come close enough, but not too close and they moon us and run back. This proves their courage under fire and they are considered men in the tribe afterwards."

"That's a relief." Annie sighed, "I guess we can expect more of this to come."

"Why Annie you think they're cute." Link asked jokingly

Annie held up her middle finger in Link's direction and they both laughed relieved that nothing was going to happen.

Jack O'Neill was helping to direct people and keep them together as they waited for the gate to dial through again to these peoples new planet. He looked over at Janet and Daisy who were checking out some of the children making sure that they were all okay. Smiling they handed out lollipops to the children and warm drinks to the adults. The gate opened and Jack called out to them.

"Okay ladies and gentlemen, let's go through the gate and see your new home." He told them "There is no rush, so no pushing or shoving everyone goes."

After the last one went through, O'Neill let out a breath; this was the seventh group through. Halfway there he thought. Looking at his watch, he saw that it was almost noon, at this rate they would be done in a few hours.

"How you holding up Doctor's." he asked

"We're out of lollipops." Janet called out

"Sergeant Siler, get more lollipops for the kids." Jack called out, he knew that it was the small things that kept scared kids from crying out. These kids must be terrified, first the attacks on their homes and then traveling through the stargate. It was not too much to give the kids just a little treat to keep them from getting scared.

"On our way sir."

"How long till the next group comes in." Janet asked tiredly pouring herself a cup of coffee holding it up for Jack

"Ten minutes." Jack told her putting out his cup for a refill of coffee "So far everything is running smooth." He added obviously relieved

"You're worried about SG 13 aren't you?" Janet asked seeing the expression on his face. "What is their mission anyway?" she asked suddenly wondering if Gabriel had told her everything.

Jack sighed and drank a mouthful of coffee "SG 3 and 9 are holding a lottery to see who goes through the gate first. They're keeping the local populace calm and moving in an orderly military mAnnier. It's SG 13 who's holding the fort; they are holding the perimeter defenses. If an attack comes it's their job to hold the enemy off until we evac everyone."

Janet stared at Jack hard, Gabe had not mentioned that part of the mission "How many hostiles?"

Jack stared at his coffee avoiding her gaze "I don't know Janet, I've heard anywhere from three to five hundred." He admitted

"Five Hundred!" Janet whispered harshly not wanting to frighten Daisy who was just a few feet away "Four against five hundred."

"Four armed to the teeth with the most advanced weapons we have." He told her, then seeing her face, he shook his head "I know Janet, I don't like it either. That's why I'm hoping we can speed this process up some."

"Incoming traveler." A voice called out "More refugees are on their way." The voice called

Lt. Harrison was standing to one side with some of the others of SG 9 while the next set of refugees made their way through the gate. This was no assignment for a soldier, he thought to himself. This was the job for the Red Cross and the like. He was a fighting man and fighting men should be in the thick of things, he should be manning the wall like SG 13. In fact he should be in charge of the defense, he was the best man for the job. Hadn't he graduated top of his class in small unit tactics, at any rate he was better equipped than a bunch of convicts. Who probably would not know they were under attack until the enemy was already inside the perimeter. They would probably turn tail and run the moment someone said boo to them.

"Shit this sucks." He complained

Sergeant Torres looked at the man "Sir?"

"We shouldn't be here." He protested, "We should be over there manning the wall, not those convicts."

Torres shook his head; SG 13 had proven themselves in his eyes. That Dr. Yates had pulled his ass out of the fire six months previously. He thought that he was a dead man the moment he was shot by those Jaffa. But Annie Yates had burst through and cut those mothers down, helped him up and to the gate. He respected her and her courage, and she was pretty easy on the eyes, well after you stop feeling intimidated by all her muscles.

"They've proven themselves Ell Tee." Torres told the man "They can take care of themselves."

Harrison looked at the sergeant skeptically "Well they should at least have an officer with them in charge."

"They do, two officers in fact." Torres smiled "Both Dr.'s Fuentes and Yates are officers, or were till they went up the river. Relax Ell Tee, we'll be outta here soon only a couple of more trips through the gate and we're outta here and on to the next great adventure."

"Sergeant Torres!"

"Yes colonel." Torres immediately stood at attention.

"Take some food and coffee to the wall for SG 13 and come back." He ordered

"Yes sir." Torres went and grabbed four MRE's and a tray with four cups of coffee

"Hold up Sergeant." Harrison told him "Let me take that, you stay here."

"Sir?"

Harrison smiled at the sergeant "Torres if I don't do something I am going to bust. At least this way I can take a little walk."

"But sir..." Torres began

"No buts sergeant. That's an order."

Torres handed over the MRE's and the tray of coffee "Very well sir."

Harrison left the area "Well at least this is one way to get to the front." He thought

It was thirty minutes later that Lt colonel Franks walked by.

"Sergeant, I thought I told you to take refreshments to SG 13?"

Torres stood at attention "Yes sir you did, but Lt Harrison said he would take them the food."

Franks looked skeptically at his sergeant, "Lt Harrison volunteered to take food to SG 13?" he asked, that didn't sound like his new pain in the ass right out of boot camp officer.

Torres shrugged helplessly "Yes sir, he made it an order. Said he was going stir crazy here."

Franks rubbed his almost stubble length of hair "Well sergeant it has been one hell of a long night. But at least we only got these last seventy five or so refugees to get through the gate and we can go home."

"How long do you think sir?" Torres asked anxiously

"Why you got a hot date?" Franks joked knowing the man had a wife and three young children at home waiting for him.

"Yes sir, I promised my youngest a trip to the circus today. It's her birthday today, she's four years old." He smiled proudly

Slapping the man on the shoulder "You'll make it, it should only be another hour or so." Franks promised as the gate shut down again "You see only thirty five more to go, we reactivate the gate in thirty mikes and go home."

Torres looked around confused and worried "There sure are a lot of kids here sir."

Franks looked around and he saw that there were indeed an unusual amount of children present, hell except for the SG teams they were all children.

"Richards." Franks called out to the linguist

When the man arrived Franks pointed to the kids "Why are there only children left?" He asked

"These are the orphans sir, you said that only the adults were to pick out the lottery numbers. The parents of these children were killed by the locals." He told him

Franks looked at the man incredulously "That doesn't mean that I want the kids last." He steamed "Haven't you heard the old expression 'women and children first'. Come on man what were you thinking." He asked the young linguist.

Richards a civilian linguist held up his hands in protest, "Sir, I bought this up to one of your officers and I was told in no uncertain terms to shut the fuck up. And that is a quote Colonel."

"Who said this to you." Franks steeled himself already afraid that he knew the answer

"A lt. Harrison sir." Richards told him

Franks sighed, of course "I'm sorry Dr. Richards, and I'll take care of the good lt." He promised shaking his head, that stupid kid had a lot to learn about being an officer. Franks just hoped it would happen before he got himself or someone else killed.

Turning towards Torres again he heard gunfire.

"What the hell was that!?" Franks yelled out looking around he saw a bunch of frightened children looking back towards the wall beginning to panic

"Herd the children to the center of the square. Richards tell the kids to stay together that we will protect them." Franks ordered "SG 3 and 9 surround them and protect them with your lives." While the men flew into action Franks reached for his comms and suddenly, he heard the 'buzz' guns fire and grenades going off.

"Phoenix report, I say again Phoenix report!"

Chapter 18: A costly mistake

"Foods here!" Harrison announced as he reached the top of the wall

"Alright." Sammy smiled rubbing his hands together "I'm starving even a MRE sounds good right about now."

"Well why don't you just sit right down and eat, I'll cover you're position meanwhile." Harrison offered holding out a cup of coffee to Annie

"Annie?"

Annie smiled taking the coffee "Sure go ahead but eat fast, you're not the only one who's hungry around here."

"You got it." Sam smiled opening the MRE

Harrison took up position "Well Dr Yates, how's it going up here?" he inquired staring at the huge but still beautiful woman

Annie smiled at the young man "Quiet Lt, just the way I like it."

"I hear you and SG 13 have seen a lot of action."

"We've seen some." She told him grimly "Nothing I'd like to live through again mind you."

"Not me." Harrison told her "I just can't wait to see some action." He said excitedly

"I used to feel the same way." Sam told him while he ate "I couldn't wait to put my rifle to use." He admitted.

"Feel good, huh?" Harrison smiled

Sam shook his head "Nope, all I want to do now is just go home and point my rifle at nothing more dangerous than some deer. I've had enough of pointing it at people." He said somberly "Don't get me wrong I'll do it again to protect my country, but I take no pleasure in it. I do it simply because I'm good at it." He shrugged staring at his MRE.

"Not me boy, this is what I was born to do." Harrison told them proudly

Annie shook her head sadly at the young man. She just hoped that he would not have to learn the hard way what it was like to actually kill another living being, the scars that it leaves behind. Annie was sick of it too, all she wanted to do was go back and work on her theories and her reactor. To just be left in peace and forget this last year had ever happened.

"We got movement in the trees." Harrison called out excitedly

Annie looked over and saw that it was just some more young men doing their passage into manhood rites.

"Relax Lt they are just doing their manhood rites. They'll approach us and moon us and run back into the trees." She told him, holding her ear piece "Here they come again Gabe."

"Yeah I see them, hey what is that guy doing there?"

"He bought us some food and coffee, he's just spelling Sam so he can eat."

"Well send junior over here." Link called out "We're hungry too."

"They're getting too close!" Harrison yelled

"Relax Lt." Sam told him "They'll be gone in a few minutes."

Annie looked over and saw them stop and begin to do their dance "I'll send him over immediately after Sam is done."

"They're too close!" Harrison yelled again obviously scared

"Relax..."Annie never finished her statement

Harrison opened fire on the two young men killing them instantly

"All right I got them!!" He said elatedly

"Who fired!?" Gabriel demanded to know

"Harrison, you dumb fuck." Annie screamed at him

Sam jumped up and took up his position

"Who fired?" Gabriel repeated

"Harrison." Annie told him clipped

"OH shit!" Sam announced "We've got massive movement in the trees." Picking up his rifle.

Annie looked out and saw to her horror that the entire forest had just seemed to come to life.

"Annie, do you see what I see?" Gabriel asked her calmly

Annie nodded "If you mean that the entire fucking forest just came alive. Yes I do." Annie said readying the 'buzz' gun

"Get ready" Gabriel announced, "I think that they are pissed off."

Suddenly savage yells could be heard coming from the woods and men poured out of the trees. A human tidal wave of screaming angry armed men.

"Fire!" Gabriel yelled picking up his sniper rifle; he started picking off targets while Link opened up with the 'buzz' gun

Gabriel stared in horror as men were cut down instantly, the electric 'buzz' gun cutting them to ribbons firing at a rate of 100 bullets a second. However, they kept coming, nothing was going to stop them. Blood erupted in the air and the stench of violent death filled the air. Bodies blown apart by the weapons, as men and boys were cut down like paper targets spilling their life's blood into the ground, turning the green grass crimson.

"Grenades." He ordered and started throwing them into the advancing army.

"Phoenix report, I say again Phoenix report!"

Gabriel grabbed the comms "Falcon, that shit head you sent with the food just opened up on a couple of kids. Now the whole fucking army is coming down on us, evac the area, I say again evac through the gate."

"SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!" Franks cursed, he was personally going to ram his fist down that dumb kids throat

"Phoenix, that is a no go, I say again that is a no go. The gate has been shut down, we cannot reopen for twenty-six mikes." He told them looking at his watch "You have to hold them off."

"Fuck that." Gabriel screamed back "We aren't holding them for 26 seconds sir, they ain't stopping for anything." He said while he fired into the surging mass in front of him. He no longer even had to aim; just shoot and he would hit something.

"SG 13 you have to hold them." Franks told them looking at the young children holding each other scared, crying for their mothers and fathers, Roberts was trying to calm them down gently reassuring them that they were going to be alright. "All we have left here are children. I say again we have children back here."

"Mother fucker." Gabe looked at Link "What do you say partner? We run or fight?"

"Kids, shit." Link turned and faced the masses again pulling the trigger "Fight."

"Annie run or fight."

"Fight, that's for both of us."

Gabriel took a deep breath and nodded, "Right, Falcon, SG 13 will stay and fight, you just protect those kids. We got you covered." He promised grimly putting down his single shot sniper rifle and picking up his automatic weapon.

Annie reloaded the Gatling gun while Sam tossed some more grenades. The ground was now littered with bodies the field turned red with blood. Spears were ineffectively hurled at them. It was a massacre, but the enemy just kept coming, they were like crazed animals. Annie knew she had to keep firing, she could not allow them to reach the wall, if that happened they would climb it and then it would really be over. Those children and the other SG teams would be slaughtered. Hell, they would all be slaughtered. Annie saw that Harrison was now sitting on the edge of the wall facing into the city. The man was hysterical crying realizing the chain of events he inadvertently set in motion.

"Harrison get your ass over here and help us!" she screamed at him

Sam looked over and saw the man; he took two steps and grabbed him roughly throwing him against the wall.

"You fuck, you started this, now you're going to finish it." Sam Pierson yelled into his face "Now SHOOT!" he screamed

The fighting continued at the wall and Lt. Colonel Franks wanted desperately to send more men to back up SG 13. However, he knew he could not, he only had ten men one of which was a pacifist civilian, he couldn't take the chance that they'd all fall and leave these children at the mercy of those savages, they had already proven that they had no problems slaughtering children.

"Richards try the gate again." He ordered calmly as possible

"I just tried sir." The linguist said frightened, he had seen what the enemy did to the captured first hand and it scared him.

Franks looked at the trembling civilian and walked over to him putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Then try again Peter, and again and again until that gate opens up. It's our only hope, can I count on you." He asked him seriously.

Peter Richards looked at the man before him; he had worked with Franks for almost two years now. The man was a tough no nonsense officer who always addressed him as doctor, mister or Richards and never by his first name. Up until this moment, he had not even known that Franks knew his first name. Standing tall he nodded to the man and taking a deep calming breath.

"Yes Josh, you can count on me." He promised

Josh Franks looked at the man and held out a hand "In case we don't make it. It's been a privilege Peter."

Peter Roberts took the offered hand "For me too Josh." Looking down he stared at the Colonel's side arm

"I'll need a gun and some quick instructions." He said sadly knowing there was no other choice.

Josh Franks was shocked "You always said you'd never carry one or use one." He said handing over his sidearm staring at the young linguist.

Peter took the gun and looked at it "For these kids, I'll break that rule." He said simply and turned to the DHD dialing again.

SG 3 and 9 waited, and waited, and waited, they could all hear the constant fighting going on up ahead. The shooting never stopped, it would only pause for a moment only to start again after a few seconds. They all knew that in those few seconds SG 13 had run out of ammunition and were reloading their weapons. They all stared at one another; they knew that the only thing that was standing between them and death was a wall being held by four convicted criminals and one green kid. At that moment that did not matter, all they could think of, all that they wanted to do was head for that wall and help them. However, that would leave the children alone and defenseless, they could not take that risk, these children were innocent, they had not harmed a soul. They deserved a chance to live and each man knew that they would die if they had to, to give them that right. Finally, the shooting stopped again. Twenty minutes had passed with only a couple of respites. This now made twice that the enemy had pulled back to regroup, twice SG 13 was given time to breathe. The first time it had lasted only five minutes at most, for five minutes out of twenty they could relax. However, when the next wave had come they had attacked again with renewed resolve with renewed energy and anger over their dead comrades. Only because one of their own had panicked and fired at some kids.

"Falcon come in." came a voice as soon as the shooting had stopped

"Go phoenix." Franks answered immediately

"Is that fucking gate opened yet!" Gabriel yelled staring at the piles of dead bodies before him, "We are almost out of ammo, and down to half a dozen grenades." He said taking stock of their supplies

"Not yet phoenix." Looking at his watch, Franks calculated the time "Gate should reopen in five minutes."

"Should!" Annie yelled back "It's a fucking massacre up here." She told him

"It will open, you have my word on that." Franks told them, he could only imagine the carnage that was going on up there.

"They almost made to the wall this last time." Gabriel told them "If they attack again, we'll only be able to hold them a couple of minutes. By then our ammo will run out." He told them.

"Then get your asses back here!" Franks ordered "We'll hold them from here."

"HERE THEY COME AGAIN!" Franks heard some one call out

"We stand here and now!" Gabriel yelled, "No one runs, no one quits, everyone fights to the death!" He ordered

Franks looked over to his men; they all stared back at him in horror. They all wore earpieces; they all heard what SG 13 had said. They realized that Gabriel's orders were to hold the enemy at all costs for as long as possible to buy them every possible second.

"Get ready men." He told them jacking in the first round into his weapon

"Sir, please!" Torres begged him as he heard the gunfire suddenly stop

"I'm sorry sergeant." Franks looked at him, realizing that SG 13's ammo had just run out, so had their luck "But it would be over before you got there, we can't help them. I wish that we could." He added sadly wondering if his own men and these children would be dead in a few minutes.

Suddenly the gate erupted into life and Peter Richards looked at the colonel "I told you I wouldn't let you down." A huge smile lighting up his face.

Franks felt like kissing the man "Evac immediately, get these kids out." Reaching for his comms "Phoenix gate is open, evac, I say again EVAC now!"

SG 13 stood at the top of the wall they were all out of ammunition. Dropping their weapons, they all watched as the locals stormed the walls and begin to put crude ladders against the wall.

"Down to the ground." Gabriel ordered, "We'll make our stand there."

Calmly the group made their way down the stairs and met in the center of the small street. They all pulled out their handguns and their knives, except for Gabriel who reached for his sword.

"It was a privilege to serve with you all." Gabriel told them staring straight at the wall

"I love you guys." Annie smiled wiping at her tears

The first of the enemy reached the top of the wall. Sammy shot him down immediately

"Lt Harrison." Gabriel turned to the young man

"Yes sir." He said scared out of his mind

"You're a dumb fuck, but you held your own." Gabriel nodded to the man "You did good kid."

Harrison stared at the older man respectfully "Thank you sir. I just wish it hadn't happened, that I hadn't panicked."

"Happens to us all. What's done is done, we can't change it." Link told him patting the kid on the back.

The enemy reached the top of the wall and were preparing to come down they all raised their pistols preparing to fire.

"Phoenix gate is open, evac, I say again evac now."

"MOVE!" Gabriel ordered turning he ran for his life the screams of the locals told him they were right on their asses.

SG 3 and 9 stood by the open gate having already sent the children through they waited for SG 13. Suddenly five figures wound their way around the corner at top speed. Franks saw it was them and waved them on.

"Move it." He called on comms, already hearing the screams of the locals getting louder and louder with each second.

Suddenly they all saw a massive wave of men running their way with clubs, swords and spears chasing SG 13.

"Go." Yelled Gabe "We're right behind you."

"Pull out!" Franks ordered

SG 3 and 9 pulled out and through the gate, Franks paused and waited until SG 13 was only about twenty feet from the gate and moved through the gate himself SG 13 reached the gate and literally threw themselves through it.

The five figures landed on the other side tumbling down the ramp

"Close it UP!" Franks yelled immediately

"Closing iris."

Gabriel turned over and stared at the gate as it closed, suddenly they all heard a thump followed by another and another then even more in rapid succession.

"Shut it down." Gabriel yelled

"Shutting down gate."

"There's been enough death for one day." He groaned "SG 13 sound off."

"Annie's here." She said raising an arm making no attempt to stand

"Link is here." He said patting Gabe on the shoulder

"Sam is here and so is Simon in spirit." Sam called out as well

"Harrison?"

"Yeah I'm here." Looking up he saw Colonel Franks face "I wish I wasn't though."

Gabe struggled to his feet helping the others to stand up as well

Looking up at the control room he saw General Hammond and Colonel Kennedy staring at them in shock wondering what the hell was going on and what exactly had just happened on the planet.

"SG 13 all present and accounted for sir." He called out to them

"Very good SG 13 welcome home, debriefing in three hours. Go to medical and get checked out."

"Yes sir, let's go guys." Gabriel made his way to the door

"SG 13" Lt colonel Franks called to them

The group stopped and faces the other teams

"SG 3 and 9 hand salute." All of them came to attention and saluted crisply

SG 13 looked at each other then came to attention and returned their salute.

Hammond smiled from the control room; SG 13 had just made some new friends.

The group entered medical and each went to a respective bed and collapsed into it exhaustedly.

Janet came out of her office surprised to see them so soon, and wondered why they had all just collapsed like that.

Jack entered the infirmary and looked around worriedly, seeing all the team there he relaxed as he made his way to Janet who looked ready to explode at them.

"Janet, don't." he told her stopping her from waking up the exhausted team. He had already talked to Franks.

Janet saw his face and stopped "What happened Jack?" By his face, she knew that it was not going to be good.

"Worst came to worst" he told her "Harrison from SG 9 went to deliver meals to them at the wall. He panicked when he saw some of the local teens. He opened fire on them Janet." Janet gasped looking around at the sleeping group "For the next twenty minutes SG 13 held the wall until they could open the gate and send through those kids we got. They ran out of ammo, and they stayed to fight it out as long as they could." He explained to her looking at his sleeping friends "They've just been through hell. Let them sleep."

"So Lt Harrison is the one who opened fire on the local people." Hammond asked again

"Yes sir" Gabriel nodded sadly, the kids career was probably over "He didn't realize that those teens were doing a manhood ritual and would retreat after a few minutes. I guess he thought that we were under attack and he opened fire."

"What happened next?" Kennedy asked them seeing the haunted looks on his people's faces

"The whole forest came alive sir." Annie told him "Then they poured out of the woods, hundreds of them. We had no choice but to open fire on them."

"We contacted Lt Colonel Franks and told him what happened." Gabriel explained, "He told us that the gate wouldn't reopen for twenty-five minutes and that we had to hold them off. That the only refugees left were children. So, we held them off. It was a massacre; they stood no chance against us and our weapons. We cut them down like they were nothing, and they just kept coming. Hoping to overwhelm us with sheer numbers. We held them until our ammo ran out."

Hammond stared at the four soldiers in front of him, "Lt colonel Franks says that even then you refused to retreat, that you were willing to go hand to hand with the locals." Hammond said shaking his head in disbelief.

"They were kids General." Annie told him "Plus two other SG teams, we had to give them as much time as possible. Even if it was just a few seconds."

"How did Harrison perform?" Hammond asked knowing that he would have to come to a decision about the young officer who was just little more than a boy himself.

Gabe looked at the general "The kid did good sir, he held his ground with us and stayed till the last second of it. He made a stupid mistake, he panicked, I say reprimand him but don't kick him out. I think that with time he will make a fine officer, one that you can be proud of sir."

"And if something like this happens again?" Kennedy asked his men

"I don't think that it will colonel." Gabe told him, and believing it "He has learned from this mistake, he's seen firsthand what his mistake cost. I doubt that it will ever happen again."

"I will definitely think it over." Hammond told him "Excellent work SG 13, I'll leave you with the colonel now."

Kennedy watched the general walk out and turned to his men "He's right." He told them "You did an excellent job people, you saved lives today and made me proud. Now I told you about your next privilege, now to the specifics. First of all Dr. Fuentes after what your team has accomplished today I am granting your request for SG 13." Pulling out four envelopes he passed one to each man and woman "You will find one months pay in each envelope at your former ranks. At 1000 hrs on Tuesday morning a van will take you into town under escort of course. You will be given four hours to shop for gifts for your families for Christmas. Dismissed and get some rest." He ordered

"Shopping?" Link asked amazed opening the envelope and seeing the money inside "All right! Now this is what I call a privilege." Imagining all the toys, he could buy his son and something really special for his wife and still have enough money left over to give her for some bills.

Annie also smiled counting the money "Holy shit, officers pay has gone up a lot in seven years." Turning to Gabe, she had to ask, "How did you pull this one off Gabe?" She asked amazed

Gabriel counted his money and had to agree with Annie, pay had gone up a lot since his incarceration, "You can thank my daughter for that." He told them "They want her to sing for the President, and I said that this would be the price for it."

Annie stood up and put her money away "I've got enough here for gifts, and to get myself some stuff." Thinking happily about getting herself some satin underwear instead of standard issue, which itched, and some romance novels if she was lucky.

"Okay people let's go and get cleaned up, we have to plan a strategic assault on a mall during the Christmas rush." Gabriel said happily