Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the Stargate Universe nor those of the Highlander universe those belong to other entities whom I would beseech to look favorably on this humble work of mine. The concepts involved in these two separate television shows do not belong to me either. The story I have written however does. This story may not be posted on any pay site or in any way shape or form make any profit for anyone (I know I'm not making a thing from it)

Authors Note: I know I promised more explanations of who was who but it just is not time yet I do have a strong feeling it will be in the next section. Again than you all for your reviews. I would especially appreciate anyone pointing out any errors or obvious mistakes so that I may change them. I also promise that the separate threads will come together shortly in the next two or so sections

Stargate

Secrets

Section Four

Day 3 1000hrs

Duncan MacLeod walked in to Joe's and sat down at the bar. He watched the late morning crew begin to set down the chairs and prepare for the night. He was about ask someone where Joe was when the object of his unasked question came tottering out of the back with a cardboard box in his arms. He abled up to the bar and sat down the box and smiles as he notices Duncan. Now free of the encumbrance he made his way closer and leaned over the bar resting on his elbows in a rough imitation of Duncan's present pose.

"So Mac what brings you here so early in your day?" Joe took a better look at Duncan. He notice no unusual bouts of stress upon the man.

"Nothing really important Joe. I was just wondering if you'd seen Adam lately?" Duncan asked casually.

"I got a message from him telling me he was out in Colorado for a few days that is all I know." Joe looked expectantly at Mac.

"Yeah I got that one too. But it's been a few days and he will usually check in when he gives you a time frame. Its his way of making sure backup is on the way if things go bad." Mac sounded a little concerned.

"Tell ya what, I will look in to where exactly he went and let you know. Ok?" Joe said as he pulled down the bottle of Laphroag he kept especially for Mac and poured two glasses shoving one towards his friend.

"Thanks Joe, I appreciate it. Cheers." Said Duncan as he took a sip of his drink.

"Anytime Mac." Joe finished his drink and went back to work in the back of the house.

Duncan hung around for an hour talking to some of the locals and then took his leave of Joe and stepped out of the bar.

Day 3 1130hrs

Duncan had made his way back to the dojo and walked inside. He was pleased at the business the place was generating under the new instructor. It had only been a month since she began teaching classes and already she had a good-sized class going. Ling was a fine Kung Fu teacher in his opinion and the students liked her supportive style. She would throw in a few self-defense moves each week along with her normal lessons. As he entered he saw her giving a practical demonstration of a self-defense move with one of the male students as her "dummy". Duncan stopped in a corner to watch.

Ling had him approach her from the rear and attempt a high grab. When He made the first contact she made a sweep with her leg and put him on the ground. Following through with her spin she dropped to one knee near his head and dropped an elbow in to his solar plexus. Then she quickly began to run away across the room. When she stopped she turned back to the class as her "dummy" got to his feet.

As you can see had my blows been full force my opponent would be in serious pain right now. As it is he is still in pain and my blows were at a fraction of the force that you or I would normally use. " She made sure the volunteer was not injured and patted him on the back. "So can anyone tell me the most important move I made in that scenario?" she asked.

"You got away?" came a young female from the back of the class.

" Very good Jane. That is exactly correct. You do not have to kill your opponent or maim them. It is enough to make them hurt enough not to want to continue. Then simply get away. Now I would like you all to practice the leg sweep I showed you so pick a partner. I will be walking around to guide you. You may begin." Her instruction done she walked over to Duncan.

"So what do you think? Any keepers in this group? Or do we throw them all back?

:"I think there is one keeper right here." He smiled at her" I like your style are you busy for dinner?" He watched her nostrils flair.

"Sure 7 ok?" she was thinking to herself 'god he is so good looking and he asked me out!'

"Fine I will meet you out front at 7 then." He nodded to her and then made his way to his office as she began to circulate amongst her students. Every now and then you would see her step in and demonstrate the sweep or give the attacker some instruction on how to come back from a sweep.

Day 4 1700hrs

It hat been 4 days since he had made his request of the president and he was feeling like things were going to take forever to sort themselves out. He had just finished up a big stack of paperwork when he got a call on his cell phone.

"Jack, this is George. I was in town and thought we would get together. How about that steakhouse you said you wanted to try in Denver." George Hammond said.

"Hey George sounds great I've got two hours work to do here so how about 7?" Jack waited for the response he knew would come.

"7 is fine but I've only got less than an hour after that to get to my flight." George gave the final coded answer.

"Excellent will see you then" and with that Jack hung up.

Well that was one less worry he had to deal with. He began to sort through his desk for the day. He separated the done from the almost done and the headed for the locker room and then made his way out of the base after checking with the command room. He had to hurry he didn't have much time and he wanted to make a couple of stops before he got to the restaurant at 8.

Gen George Hammond drove through downtown Denver dressed in civilian clothes. As he made his way to the Houston's Steak House and bar he tried to think of a reason that Jack would need to see him so desperately. In all the years he had worked over him Jack had proven himself a competent leader and crackerjack problem solver. As much as he hated to think it he was pretty sure whatever had Jack stumped was probably pretty bad. It was nearing 7:30 when he pulled in to the parking lot and made his way in to the restaurant. He found a spot where he could watch the door ordered a beer and waited.

Jack made his way to the steak house and stepped inside where he immediately saw George waiting. They found a server and were seated quickly and their orders taken.

"Hello Jack How's work?" George said with one of his patented 'you care to tell me what the hell is going on?' looks.

Jack took a sip of his beer and began." George, so nice to see you. You're looking well. How's the family?" Jack quipped until he saw the stern expression in the other mans eyes. " Jacob and Selmak visited the other day. They had an interesting theory to report." Jack took another sip of his beer.

"Ok care to elaborate?" George was about to take another sip of his beer and thought better of it.

"Well it seems our unfriendly neighbors have been stepping up their activity in the area and Jacob and Selmak think it's due to the change in upper management." Jack took a breath thinking of how he could tell George about the other issues recently arisen without betraying trust place it him." There have also been several other strange and wonderful discoveries in the last few days and I think we may have struck preverbal gold if Daniel and his friend are correct."

"What are you not telling me Jack?" George took a sip of his beer as their food arrived. Both men had ordered the prime rib with baked potato and vegetable. They thanked the server and began to dig in.

"The suggestion was made clear that we might have an uninvited guest. And I am at a loss as how to flush them out also we may have stumbled on to another big find. Something so big it may take both of us to manage it." Jack popped a bite of food in his mouth and began to chew. One thing was for sure this was definitely better than the food on the base.

Just then the waiter stopped by to ask if they needed refills. Both men declined and ordered nonalcoholic drinks. The steak was good in fact if it were not for the topic of conversation it would have been a great meal.

"Are we talking something bigger than Dr. weir's project?" George asked with interest.

"So far Daniel has been mentioning words like space station and colony ship to me if that means anything." Jack kept his voice low. "Also we have recruited another archeologist to the team on a short term basis."

"Do you think that's wise Jack?" Hammond was a little concerned but knew Jack was not stupid.

"Well it was better to have him with us than wandering about with what he knew." Jack casually replied as he ate. "George the main thing is we don't want to alert the our of towners until its on our terms. There is just too much going on right now that we need to keep under wraps and I don't think I can handle this one alone. It's really not like anything we have dealt with before."

"Alright Jack I agree, I've been given permission to do whatever is necessary to solve the problem. That comes directly from the top by the way. Now lets finish up here and get back to the house." George was extremely curious as to what events could make Jack this concerned.

They finished their steaks and Jack paid the bill insisting that he take care of this one because of the other time George took him out when everybody thought he was going to die. They got in their trucks and headed back to the base. Jack made a quick stop at his house first and retrieved a long wooden box. He quickly put it in his truck and they shortly arrived at the SGC.

Day 3 1830hrs

In seacouver Duncan was just putting the finishing touches on his outfit for the evening. He was wearing his dark suite with his alligator pattern dress shoes and matching belt. He was also wearing a shirt and tie both dark indigo. His hair was up in his usual ponytail and hairpiece. He was just about to step into the lift when his phone rang. He picked it up and heard Joe's voice on the other end.

"Mac?"Joe waited for a reply. " Galad I caught you home. Listen I did some checking on Adam's location and I really don't know what to think of it. All I know is he boarded a Military flight with one Dr. Daniel Jackson and a man named Murray and was flown to Cheyenne mountain."

"Cheyenne mountain Joe? Isn't that where they have the Strategic space command? And NORAD?" Duncan asked a bit suprisede by the location Adam had been taken to.

"The very same. I also did some checking on the base that he was taken to as well. Mac I'm scared this time. When I checked in to that mountain I tripped so many red flags it's not funny." Joe was trying not to sound too nervous and failing.

"Look Joe thanks why don't you come over here and stay at my place tonight that way if anything comes up we can face it together I should be back around midnight. "Duncan offered in hopes it would ease Joe's mind. After all it was Duncan fault he went looking for Adams whereabouts.

"Thanks Mac I will take you up on it and be over there as soon as I'm done here." Joe was in much better spirits now thanks to Duncan's offer.

They said their good-byes and Duncan was on his way down the lift. He had Just reached the door when he heard Ling nock.

"Hello, sorry I am late I got a last minuet phone call from Joe." He said as he opened the door and stepped out.

He locked the door behind them and they began to walk to Leonardo's a nice little Italian restaurant near the Dojo. It was a nice warm summer night and the sky was clear. They walked in silence for a bit until Duncan spoke up.

"I really like the way you teach your classes. You students speak highly of you even though they have known you only a short time."

"Thank you Duncan it is good to hear that. I often wonder how my students feel about my technique." Ling said. She was more than a little nervous being in the company of such a good-looking gentleman. "So where are you taking me for dinner tonight?" she asked with a mile.

"Just a little place I know of." Duncan smile at her. She really was beautiful. " I hope you like Italian." He waited for her affirmation.

"Yes its one of my favorites. How did you know?" she looked surprised

"Well I overheard you trading recipes with one of your students a week ago and got the idea it was a favorite." They turned a corner and came in sight of the resurant.

"Leonardo's? I have wanted to go there. My students keep telling me it's the best in the area I just didn't know it was this close." She was glowing with excitement. Not only was Mac handsome he was attentive and considerate. In fact it was making her a little weak in the knees.

"Yes I thought you might like to go there I take it I thought right?" Duncan offered her support as she missteped and walked her to the entrance.

They entered and were immediately greeted by Stephan the matra de who immediately recognized them. " Ah Miss fong, Mr. Macleod Your table is ready if you would please follow me." He led them back through the restaurant to a table near the back. Once they were seated a waiter came to their table.

"Hello and welcome to Leonardo's my name is Gustav and I will be your server this evening. I will be bringing your wine shortly is there any thing I can get you at the moment?" they replied that they were fine for the moment. " In that case please take your time I will be back when you are ready to order or if you should need anything." With that he excused himself to stand well away from the table and near the door to the kitchen. He gave a hand signal to one of the bus boys and the boy disappeared back in to the back arriving shortly with an ice bucket that had a bottle of wine buried in it up to the neck. The bus boy set it at the table as Gustav came back. " May I?" He looked to Duncan and when he saw him nod he expertly opened the wine letting it set for a moment as he offered the cork to Mr. MacLeod. Duncan Smiled and nodded again. "Very good sir." Gustav smiled and began to pour a bit in Ling's glass.

Ling Picked up her glass and tasted the wine. Her eyes went wide and she smiled at Duncan.

Taking his Que Gustave filled their glasses and excused himself to await their pleasure.

After perusing the menu they made their choices Ling would have the Pasta with Seafood and Duncan the Fish. They ordered smoked salmon as an appetizer and the Pasta Fagoul soup.

As they waited for their meal to be prepared they chatted about the many things they had in common in both of their lives. They talked of the Dojo of students and of martial arts. Their conversation began to warm romantically as they talked about places they had been and some of their thoughts and opinions.

Gustav returned with their meal and they ate in silence for a while each enjoying their food.

The meal was superb and they had a many an interesting conversation until about 1130. Knowing he had to get home Duncan paid for their meal and walked Ling to her Car in front of the Dojo. She thanked him for the wonderful meal and company giving him a quick goodnight kiss and then she got in her car and headed home.

Duncan was floating on air as he walked in to the Dojo and took the elevator up to his loft. Then quite suddenly he crashed hard. Joe was not here. There was no sign he had been here either. He quickly went over to his answering machine and played back the messages for the day. Two of them were for inconsequential things but the last one caught his attention.

"Mac this is Joe. They are right outside the bar. Definitely black ops armed and …"you could hear the sound of a door burst open. "Hey we are closed you cant come in here." Joes voice said.

"Joseph Dawson? " a strange mans voice came through slightly muffled." Please come with us sir."

"Wait a min where are you ……" Joes voice ended abruptly as the phone clicked down ending the connection.

Duncan immediately began to pack a duffle bag. He had a strong hunch he knew where they were taking Joe. If military protocol had not changed any since last he was involved in it they would take him to Cheyenne Mountain. And question him there. He quickly exited the Dojo leaving a note that he would be gone for a day or two. As Duncan drove to the airport he began to formulate a plan for getting Joe out of the trouble he got him in.

End Day 3 0015hrs

Day 4 0530hrs

Amanda didn't go home as she had led Daniel to believe but rather stayed nearby in a house she had rented. She had been alive far too long to not know when something big was up. Especially since she as a professional thief was at the bottom of many of the things that were both big and up. After Daniel had driven her back to the Denver airport she had taken her small single engine plane and flown to a nearby small town where she had a car waiting. Amanda was genuinely concerned about her friend and student. Most of the time this would simply mean she was there for his support and to find out what exactly was causing a bad situation. This time however since she could not get a straight answer out of Daniel she decided to take matters in to her own hands and find out as much as she could about the Cheyenne mountain complex. So now here she was sitting in her car with a pair of binoculars looking at the main gate of Cheyenne Mountain and taking notes.

Day 4 0800hrs

Daniel returned to the SGC on Monday and was greeted by General O'Neill

"Daniel, we need to have a little chat." O'Neill said as he came in sight of his friend and former teammate.

" I know jack just let me get a couple of things from my lab" came the reply

"Well make it quick I want you out there with the rest of SG-1 as soon as possible." Jack really did not trust Pierson. After receiving a nod from Daniel he moved down the hall to his office.

Twenty minuets later Daniel poked his head in Jacks office " Jack?"

"Come on in Danny, sit down." Jack leaned back in his over priced government furnished shiny-seated chair. Tell me about Adam Pierson"

"Well we were in school together at college and were really good friends till he graduated and disappeared for a bit he never published a single thing but from my work with him he is good at what he does. In this case what he does is translate ancient languages. I'm surprised you guys didn't go after him instead of me." Daniel shrugged

"Well if he is that good then I would have to say the reason is we didn't know about him" Jack replied. "Anything else? Perhaps some on his morals and ethics? Character? I want to know more about this guy." Jack said with a tone the pleaded his need to know.

" Well as for his morals he never was one to follow the pack if he thought he was right." Daniel paused. " As to his character? Well I would trust him with my life I have in the past. There really isn't that much more to tell unless you want college barhopping stories. In that case I will let you know right now that man loves beer more than anything else on the planet besides himself that is."

"Can I trust him to do what he says he will?" Jack waited for a reply

"Yes of that I can assure you. He will do what he says he will even if it kills him. Or you."

" Thanks Daniel." Jack said in Ernest. " I want you out with SG-1 as soon as you get yourself packed." Daniel got up to leave and headed to the door. " And if you come up with any other things I need to know about Pierson contact me immediately" Jack called as Daniel left the office.

Day 4 1300hrs Planet Solar time 0800

Things were going smoothly for a Monday no one had come back early. There were no intergalactic crisis to solve. Colonel Samantha Carter was on her last round of paperwork for the day when Adam/Metho poppeded his head in her makeshift office.

"Hi Sam can we talk for a bit?" He waited for her to nod and came in and took a seat in the only other chair in the tent. "Your taking all this very well at the moment." He gave her a questioning look

"Well its not like its that big of a problem right now" she gave him a smile " is that all that is on your mind?"

" Well considering your immortality has just been exposed to the U.S. Government I think that it's a big deal. I also think that the fact that all immortals are now in danger of exposure it's a big deal." Methos leaned forward in his chair. " What I want to know is what we are going to do about it? How trustworthy is your general O'Neill?

"Ha, You're standing on another planet! Think about it old man." Sam lapses in to a laughing fit "don't you think that if they can keep a secret like the Stargate and treat the aliens you've met with such respect and dignity that they just might extend that to you? Or are to still to pessimistic? " Sam finished looking solemn.

"Pessimism has kept me alive sa'man'tia" he smiled coldly as he used her first name.

" Well if I thought for one instant that my life or the life of any other immortal was in danger over what has happened over the last week I would not be here." She told him seriously." I have trusted General O'Neill with my life in the past and he has done the same with his to me. I see no reason to doubt that trust now." Sam said as she closed up her last log for the day.

" Well you may trust them Sam I cant do that yet." Came Adams reply. " Until they prove themselves to me I am going to be on my guard."

" You do that 'Adam'." She said coldly. She would not sit by and have the friends she had made be belittled so easily. She had been through the fire with each of them and they had more than proved themselves to her. There was of course the not so little problem now of why she had not told them everything from the beginning but she felt it would work itself out. " Look if we are done here? I have some things I need to do."

" Alright Sam I will let you go back to playing soldier. I have more to translate and let me say its really getting interesting." With that he turned and walked out.

Soon after Adam left an airman stepped in " ma'am can I get you anything?"

"yes airman simmons you can" tell sergeant Thompson to dial the Tokra and send this .." she jotted down a note and handed it to him " to them"

"Yes Ma'am." He saluted and turned to completed his task.

Day 4 1400hrs Tokra base time Unknown

Jacob Carter stood In the Tok'ra council chamber while Selmak was speaking to the group. "I believe that concludes our business for the day?" He and Selmak watched as all present gave nods of affirmation. As the meeting began to break up one of the other tok'ra motioned him aside.

"Jacob/Selmak I have a message from your daughter" Jacob nodded " she wanted me to tell you the feline is out of the cloth container. She would like to talk with you personally on planet P 37428 at these coordinates as soon as you can."

Jacob thanked the other Tok'ra and turned back to see who was left in the chamber. Luckily most of the council was still there. "Something has come up. I need to take a quick trip to a planet my daughter is on." what did she mean about the feline and the cloth container my Jacob? Selmak queried Uhm sorry Sel she said was that the Cat is out of the bag. Jacob replied. Oh then I agree we should go Jacob mentally hugged Selmak in thanks.

"Why do you need to go?" came the head of the council.

"It is a matter of Personal importance to Jacob and I agree with him. It is also a Private matter that we will not discuss." Selmak stepped in.

"I see how long do you plan to be away?"

" No more than two days"

"Very well we will see you back here in two days." Giving the verdict the chair of the council left effectively scattering the rest of the council members to their various projects.

Thanks Sel, I don't think they would have gone with me on that one if not for you

You are welcome Jacob, now lets get going before we are late.

Day 4 1500hrs Planetary solar time 1000hrs

Jacob/Selmak stepped through the gat to P 37428 Greeted by lots of people with guns.

"Stand down everyone." Sam ordered as she approached Jacob/Selmak " thank you for coming Jacob and thank you Selmak."

"Your welcome and your welcome Sam so you want to talk in private?" Jacob said as then walked towards the camp.

"That would be preferred. My tent is just ahead." Sam said as she guided them to her office/tent.

"I need you to go to General O'Neill and tell him everything." Sam told Jacob after they were seated.

"Are you sure about this? No belay that are you CRAZY!" Jacob was shocked. After it was impressed on him so many times why the secret had to be kept he could not understand why she would divulge it so carelessly to the military no less. " Sam I wont do it I will not see them turn you in to a lab rat!" Jacob began but was cut off by Sam's authorities tone.

"JACOB CARTER. You will calm yourself down right now young man. Do you understand me?" with his nod she continued "things have changed he already knows about the immortality just not all of it. What I need you to do is tell him your story so he will understand how I have kept my immortality secret for now. " Sam finished less harshly.

"What happened?" Jacob asked concerned

"I was repelling down a cliff when my line was sheared by a rock. I revived in the Gate room. Fortunately I was not the only immortal around at the time that jack knew of. My teacher was there." She paused " apparently he is older than we thought and was instrumental in burying the gate in the first place."

"Alright Sam I will talk with Jack. If things go badly you will always have a place with the Tok'ra." Jacob rose to leave.

"Thank you my little Jacob" Sam said softly as she gave him a hug.

They exited the tent and walked toward where the Stargate was standing. Sam watched as Jacob dialed up the gate and stepped through.

1954

Sara Carter Looked down at the 5 yr old boy that fate had thrown in to her life. He was the son of her friend Jane Gurshaw whose death was still too fresh in Sams mind. The Deaths of Jane and Mark were her fault. She knew she should have moved on sooner. Her teacher had taught her that rule quite early. She owed little Jacob far more than she could repay but she vowed she would do her best…