Three: Black-Mail

Two Weeks Later

Life had become considerably more boring since Elizabeth's discovery. Nothing seemed up to par anymore. After the surprise visitors had dropped by Liz had laid off her way of life for a while. It made things even more boring. She sat staring at her computer screen, the cursor was blinking along the empty text box on her live-journal. She frowned and then typed: Something really interesting happened to me a couple weeks ago, and is the reason for my absence from my usual haunts. Its so amazing, but I can't talk about it…

And she shouldn't even be thinking about it. She should have put the whole thing out of her mind, but she hadn't. It was easy to say that she wouldn't mess with it anymore, but to actually stay away from something like that, something so big - - well, it was insanity to think she would. She was stupid for really thinking she might have a chance to stay away from it.

Okay… She had to think about this logically. What could she do to….

Ah… yes. That was it.

A smile spread over her face as she went to work.

Meanwhile - - Daniel Jackson's Residence

An odd 'ding' noise broke Daniel from his intense research patterns. He rubbed his tired eyes and turned to his computer. There was a new window open; a message box. It blinked; on, off, on, off. He slipped in his chair and read the message.

From: No-1-at-nowhere-dot-com

I want to go through it.

- - Liz

(Author's Note: Had to do the -at- and -dot- cos it wouldn't let me just type it normal.... oddness.)

"Jack was right. This isn't over." Daniel said, sitting back in his chair. Why did everything have to always get so complicated?

The Next Day

"She wants to what…" Jack O'Neill cried. They were sitting in the Cafeteria sharing a not-so-balanced breakfast, when Daniel decided to let the news by them. Elizabeth seemed like a nice girl, but he was sure there was no way for her to be able to go through the Stargate. Even Hammond wouldn't allow it.

"Are you talking about that girl the two of you went to see a few weeks ago?" Carter asked. She had thought all of that had been taken care of. "Are you sure its her?"

"I replied and told her I didn't think it was possible." Daniel continued, "she s-mailed me back asking again. It's her, Sam." He pushed his food around with his fork. "What are we going to do?"

"Is there any possible way to talk her out of wanting to do this?"

"No." Jack said, "she didn't seem like the type to be talked out of something she really wanted to do."

"I - - I think we should let her go." Daniel said after a moment of silence. They looked at him in surprise. "I mean, a routine mission wouldn't hurt, would it? Couldn't we just talk to the General and see if it is okay. This is a strange situation, maybe he would allow it."

"I don't think so." O'Neill said.

"We could see." Sam said. Jack shrugged.

Later - - Hammond's Office

"Absolutely not!"

"But General Hammond, sir - -" Daniel began.

"NO! There is no way I'm letting some teenaged girl go through the Stargate. Especially one that you met because of her illegal activities."

"I told you." Jack said. Daniel looked exasperated.

"Are you sure there's no way?"

"Certain. This conversation is over."

With that the two men got to their feet and left. "Told ya." Jack repeated as they walked down the hallway.

"Great. Now what am I going to tell her…"

"The same thing you told her before. No. Oh, and tell her I said 'hi'."

Daniel sighed.

That Night

Daniel had written to Elizabeth not fifteen minutes before a reply had been sent to him. He felt bad enough about having to tell her no in the fashion he was forced to. This was a very difficult situation, made even more difficult by the fragility of the Stargate program. He understood how Elizabeth would feel about being denied her wish to see another world. He couldn't imagine being grounded to just Earth.

It was a wondrous experience going to other places, and for some reason he felt it was unfair to deny her the ability to do it at least once. She already knew about it, Daniel didn't see the harm. But the answer had been no, so that was what he had told her.

The reply he received surprised him. Then again, it didn't.

Dr. Jackson. I'm sorry they said I couldn't go, but I really must insist upon this. It's driving me insane knowing about this thing and not being able to see it. I hope you will understand and forgive me for what I must say in respect to this. Tell them if they don't let me go through then I will be forced to have to take the Program to the Media.

I know you're probably thinking I won't do it. I might, and I might now. But are you willing to take that chance on someone you just met once?

- - Your friendly network neighborhood hacker.

P.S. Oh, tell O'Neill I accept his Hello and send one back. And I'm still very sorry about the bat incident.

Daniel didn't know what to do. Elizabeth was a very contradictory person. She was a very noble individual, but then again she was used to getting what she wanted. He couldn't really judge for himself whether or not she would really go through with her threat. She could be bluffing, but she was also right. Was he willing to take that chance?No.

He typed a reply: I'll ask again. Be patient.

The Next Day - - Hammond's Office (Again)

"Dr. Jackson, are you sure that this is the best course of action?"

"Yes."

"O'Neill?"

"Oh, yeah," Jack jumped in, "I met this girl. She's pretty cool. I think she can handle it."

"Very well then. SG-1 is scheduled with a routine mission next week. Contact her and inform her of the time. I will make arrangements for her to be here."

"Thank you so much, General."

Elizabeth's House

Liz check her mail as soon as she got home from a night out with the gang. Most of it was trash - - she really needed to make a device that automatically deleted stupid forwards - - but one caught her eye. The one she had been waiting for. It was from Dr. Jackson. The subject line read: Yes. She opened it and read.

Talked to Hammond again. He said you could go on a routine mission with us next week. We'll have someone pick you up on Thursday at 11:00 A.M. You'll be brought to Cheyenne Mountain and we'll help you prepare for your trip. See you soon. - - Daniel. And Jack says don't worry about the bat thing. He thought it was funny anyway.

"YES!"

Oh! More Reviews! I love you people. (and it's just me, the muse, writing for right now.) So far Tsugi's been helping with the ideas, but she's writing on her Harry Potter story so she's leaving it to me to write this with our plan. Sigh Oh well.

But I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Apologies for being kinda lazy on the details and stuff. I moved it along too quick in my opinion, but then again I'm a perfectionist.

I really wanted to get to the next chapter, that's where the fun starts - - errr, I guess. At least I get to bring in one of my favorite characters.

Next Chapter: Unexpected Destinations Part One Our enchanting heroine gets to meet Skaara, and stirs up some trouble in the process. (Takes place in Season 3 Episode "Pretense")

Toodles Y'all.