A/N:  This week has sucked big time.  I've been doing the work of TWO people because my co-worker had to go and somehow get himself committed into a psych ward. (I'm not kidding, this is really happening).

Thanx to all my reviewers, they really picked me up and motivated me to continue this story.  This story is lower down on my priority ladder so reviews really do make a difference on how quickly I update.  Shrugs not that I'm nagging or nothing. (REVIEW)

Chapter 2 – Memories

Jack O'Neill wasn't surprised when he received a call to Washington.  In fact, ever since Daniel had told him about the Shiriti'ai emerging, he had been expecting it.

Some of the faces had changed since his last debriefing on the Shiriti'ai, but the agenda hadn't.  Though the sect was no longer considered as great a threat as the Al Quada and other terrorist groups – the Puranas concerned them greatly.

Most importantly, how much his reincarnation would remember.

Jack had been surprised by the general acceptance by the officials on the concept of reincarnation – but after overseeing the Stargate mission logs, O'Neill supposed it wasn't that great of a stretch.  Unfortunately, that also meant it occurred to the brass that their 'dead leader' wasn't as disposed as they would hope.

So they had called Jack to determine if the Puranas would maintain sufficient memory of his previous life to implicate the American government in an assassination.  Of course, on one level Jack found this amusing.  How many assassins were afraid of their victims identifying them after they had successfully completed their mission?

"Colonel O'Neill, after spending several months with the Shiriti'ai, were you able to determine the credence of their leader's claim that he was the reincarnation of the previous Puranas?" a general asked.

"Sir, as I said in my earlier report, I still believe that the Puranas held no memories of his previous lives, if they existed."

"Yes, but that was before you began to work with the Stargate program.  Surely, you are now more open-minded about…unusual occurances."

"Sir, there was no evidence to support the Puranas' claims.  Since the Shiriti'ai are unaware of our involvement in the Puranas' death, exposure of our American involvement should be negligible."

"I'm not concerned with the Puranas; if he is real he's still only a boy of twelve now.  What I want to know is who this Keeper of Sanctuary is?  Can you shed some light on the subject, Colonel?" an NID man asked.

"Sir, I'm sorry to say that I can't."

It was obvious the NID didn't believe the Colonel, but decided to let the matter drop.  That made O'Neill nervous, who knew from experience that the NID never 'let things go'.  The questions continued for a few hours but the Colonel was unable to give than any additional information.  Finally, they let him go.

Jack left the building and sighed with relief.  At least they still had no idea who the Puranas' new reincarnation was, but if the Shiriti'ai were unable to gain entry into the United States…

The Puranas could remember every past life (except for the very first ones) with a greater recall than most people remembered their own lives. 

Which meant that he was a danger.

**************************

Liam Stanton watched his father struggle through the translations for the ancient document.  Being an archaeologist, Matthew Stanton could often be found pouring through textbooks and ancient texts – or going around the world in search of new discovers.  Liam had resigned himself at a young age to not seeing much of his father, having never felt a significant attachment to the man.

The boy often wondered why he wasn't more upset by his father's absence.  His best friend, Andrew, complained how his father's career in the military meant he was never there for his son.  Often, Andrew would act out for attention even if it were disciplinary. 

But Liam…

He accepted his father's priorities without fuss, and handled his parent's divorce with no dramatics.  His grades were maintained at a 4.0 GPA, and he had a healthy social life.  But Liam never felt like he belonged.  Not in his school, not with his friends, not in his family.

It was as if there was another life out there waiting for him.

Liam sighed, and touched his father's shoulder.  The older man turned to glare at his son.

"Liam, how many times have I told you not to interrupt me while I'm working?  I've been working on translating this sentence for hours and you've disrupted my thoughts," he growled.  The boy just rolled his eyes.

"It says, 'And the God Ra brought forth his hand and brought death to the unbeliever.'  Come on, I need a ride to school."

The boy turned to grab his coat, not realizing what he had just done.  His father stared at his son's retreating figure in amazement.  He returned to the text and checked his notes.  In shock, Matthew Stanton – one of the leading archaeologists in the world – realized his son had translated in a second what had taken him five hours. 

*********************************

Daniel Jackson hurried down the hall, in his haste bumping into Jack.

"Ah, Jack, I didn't realize you were back.  How was Washington?"

"Loud.  Where are you off to in such a hurry?"  Jack asked, changing the subject.  The two men continued towards the entrance to the base.

"A colleague of mine has translated an ancient text which I believe refers to Goa'uld technology.  I convinced General Hammond to let him on the base so he can help me with some texts I found on PQ3949."

Jack grinned slightly at the other man's enthusiasm.  What he found so exciting about old books was beyond him, but the Colonel did admire Jackson's determination.  He had had the strength to publish that aliens had built the pyramids – even if he was right, it still took a great deal of determination.

The elevator doors opened and Jack found himself face to face with a man in his forties and a twelve-year old boy. 

"Jack O'Neill, this is Dr. Matthew Stanton -- Dr. Stanton, this is Colonel Jack O'Neill and second-in-command of the base," Jackson introduced, and the two men shook hands.  Stanton took his son by the elbow and brought him forward.

"This is my son, Liam.  I'm afraid I couldn't find a babysitter, if that is alright."  Daniel immediately assuaged the man's fears.  The boy looked at his father with slight disdain, which amused the Colonel.

"Hi, I'm Jack," O'Neill said, holding out his hand.

"Hi," Liam replied and took the hand. 

Both men froze and looked at each other.  As soon as their hands had touched, Liam had felt a door open in his mind.  Suddenly, he could remember everything.  It was like he knew everything, had experienced everything, had been everything.  And he knew the man in front of him.

Jack stared at the boy who was his friend though they had never met before.  Under his shirt, he could feel the pendant begin to warm.  Looking at Liam's face, the Colonel knew that Liam remembered him.  And what had happened.

The two archaeologists were too busy discussing different theories to notice the strange interaction between the other two members of their group.  Had they been paying attention, they would have seen Jack O'Neill take out a pendant inscribed with ancient symbols from around his neck and place it around Liam's.  They would also have noticed the boy placing a hand over the Colonel's heart and whispering a benediction in a language dead for over five thousand years.

But they were scholars – and remained oblivious. 

For now.

TBC