Jack caught up to Major Royal-Pain-In-The-Ass as he was laying it to General Hammond.
"What? I have my orders, General," Riley stated, holding up his authorization papers. "I'm to take the clones with me to our facility."
"I understand that, Major, but are you aware of our alliance with the Tollan?"
Jack entered the room, ignoring the glare he received from Riley. Not even trying to hide the smirk on his face, he walked over to stand beside Carter and Narim. This was going to be the best part of his day.
Riley frowned, his gaze shifting to the serene form of Trevell before returning to the stern one of Hammond. "I fail to see what that has to do with anything."
"The alliance between our two worlds has a certain clause in it that takes priority over this case," Trevell said authoritatively.
He eyed her suspiciously, before shooting Hammond a not-so-pleasant look. "What trick are you trying to pull?"
"Oh, it's no trick, Major," Hammond said with a pleased smile. "Take a look yourself. It's all right there, Article Six, Section Two."
Riley snatched the paperwork, and muttered over the treaty, the scowl on his face only deepening. "You think I'm going to buy this? I have authorization. I can have the president override this nonsense."
"Don't think so," Jack said happily.
Hammond reached forward and grabbed the copy of the treaty. "You can go ahead and try to get the president to override this but it'll be a waste of your time, Major. You see, the president already signed this treaty months ago. His signature is right there."
Major Riley scoffed. "You don't really think this is going to work? You think this administration is going to allow these aliens to take Doctor Jackson's clones through the Stargate?"
"I'd appreciate it if you showed our visitors some respect, Major," Hammond scolded. "I'm just abiding by the agreement between our worlds."
"It's ludicrous." He pointed to the jar he had balanced on Hammond's desk. "If they hold the knowledge of Jackson, they are a security risk."
"The Tollan are our allies, Riley," Carter said, motioning to Narim. "We respect their position."
He glowered at her. "Show respect? Aren't these the aliens that won't share anything with us?"
"You got to wonder why," Jack said wryly, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Riley brushed him off, returning his attention to General Hammond. "I won't stand for this. I will take them."
"You can try all you want, Major," Carter said hotly. "But the document is clear. Any and all allies on Earth that have a clean record and have expressed sincerity of their actions are free to take refuge with the Tollan. It's the Tollan's way of offering a peaceful place of retirement to our people." She paused and smiled sweetly at him. "I may take up their invitation myself someday."
Jack grinned, not missing the smile on Narim's face.
"Doctor Jackson's," General Hammond cleared his throat, "offspring have requested a place with the people of Tollana. High Chancellor Trevell and the rest of the Council have accepted the request under our agreement. They will be accompanying both the High Chancellor and Narim back to Tollana."
Major Riley stood back, regarding Hammond coolly. "If that's the case, then I'll just take Doctor Jackson."
Hammond did not flinch. "You don't have orders of any kind to take Doctor Jackson. And even if you did, you wouldn't take him. As long as he is under my command, I'll see to that."
"Besides, you'd have to get through Teal'c first," Jack told him. "Isn't that right?"
Teal'c, who had silently emerged in the doorway, nodded. "Indeed."
"You won't be rid of me so easily," Major Riley said with a snort. "I'm only following orders."
Jack scoffed. "That's precisely the problem!"
"And be aware, Major, that we have extended our home to Doctor Jackson as well," Trevell said evenly. "He is welcome to share his life with us, if he so chooses."
Major Riley said nothing to this. Glaring hard at General Hammond he grabbed the alien sample and stormed out of the office. Carter and Jack exchanged a companionable look, adding Tealc's smile into their mix.
That had been worth it.
But that part was short-lived.
"I'm afraid that we cannot stay any longer," Trevell informed them. "Narim and I must head back to Tollana and arrange accommodations for our guests."
"They are waiting for you in the Gateroom," Teal'c announced.
"Thank you, Teal'c," Hammond stated. "I believe it's about time we wrap this up."
Jack was never one for long goodbyes. Hell, he wasn't one for goodbyes at all. And something about saying goodbye to Daniel Jackson, again, or at least people that looked and acted like Daniel, was a little unsettling.
Maybe he wasn't willing to admit the aliens had grown on him.
He watched in silence as the aliens exchanged hugs, handshakes and salutes with the rest of SG-1 and General Hammond. He realized that every so often he was having trouble telling them apart, but then they would settle back into that weird pattern of mimicking an aspect of Daniel, allowing him to feel at ease. He didn't want some mix-up only to find they ended up with the wrong Daniel.
But watching a sniffling Daniel cling to what had to be the original, made him a little bit more secure in determining who was who.
After glancing quickly at Narim and Carter as they said their goodbyes, Jack focused on the aliens again. "Got enough packed there?" he finally asked in a joking tone as he surveyed the multiple bags that the Daniels had perched at their feet.
Jackson smiled and patted one of the bags. "Books, notepads, coffee, chocolate, lots of spare glasses, pens and pencils…everything we'll need out there in the wild."
"Yes," Jack said, allowing himself a small smile. "The Tollan are animals."
Jackson laughed, dragging one of the bags towards the end of the ramp. As he did so, Danny stepped forward and tackled Jack with a hug.
"Miss you!" he said aloud, squeezing harder.
Jack cleared his throat, blocking out the obvious glances in his direction. "Yeah, you too, kiddo."
He held him a moment longer, leaning close to Jack's ear. "Take care of my Daddy, okay?"
Startled at the clarity and emotion in Danny's voice, Jack nodded and whispered back. "Sure thing."
Satisfied, Danny skipped off to join Jackson, and the two began to squabble over who would own what. Dan just shook his head at the exchange.
Jack had to admit it; everyone looked upbeat. The aliens seemed to be more happy than sad over the occasion, ready to go out and explore Tollana for themselves, instead of reliving it through Daniel's memories. Or, if they were sad, they did a good job at hiding their emotions, making the farewell easier for Carter and Teal'c. And for him.
Even Moody didn't seem that…moody. He was quieter than the rest, stealing sneaky glances to the control room above them, but overall he looked like he could take on the world. Catching his gaze for a moment, Jack followed it upward and focused on its center.
Doc Fraiser.
She smiled softly, pressing her hand to the glass, before sending him a small wave. Then, when she caught sight of Jack watching them, her face become serious, and she vanished out of sight.
Reflecting back, back long before this off-world incident, he wasn't sure how he could have missed it. Was it that obvious?
Watching the alien clones gather with Narim and Trevell at the base of the ramp, Jack leaned over to Carter. "How long—?"
"Months, Sir," she answered, cutting him off.
"And I was…?"
"Oblivious," Teal'c finished for him.
"Huh," was all Jack could say.
"We promise that they will be well cared for," Trevell announced. She placed a hand on Danny's shoulder. "Especially this one."
Danny beamed, grinned brightly at the rest of the room's occupants. Jack could only force a smile. He knew that even though these aliens would receive the best care they possibly could get, and were in capable allied hands, they'd never see them again.
"We appreciate your assistance in this matter," General Hammond said pleasantly. "The Tollan are welcome here anytime."
Trevell replied with a regal nod. "Thank you, General Hammond."
When the wormhole engaged, Jackson took Danny's hand, and the aliens, along with Trevell and a solemn Narim, entered the event horizon. The last thing they saw were the hands of the aliens as they waved goodbye, and Narim's smile as he vanished into the blue ripples. Watching quietly, Daniel held back, leaning against the ramp, while the rest of SG-1 and Hammond remained at the back of the room, waiting for the wormhole to disengage.
Finally, it snapped off, and they were left with a very empty room.
Well, Jack thought, good to have that over. But what now? They no longer had to worry about alien Daniels running around the place, and they were secure knowing they aliens were enough like Daniel that they wouldn't give out top secret information, but what about Daniel?
He stared at the man, watching as he silently gazed at the inactive Gate. What was going to happen to him? Fraiser seemed convinced that he was getting better and whatever had caused his brain to suffer a meltdown didn't seem to be permanent. In fact, whatever bizarre occurrence happened to Daniel seemed to have slammed itself into reverse. But they'd be damned to figure out what exactly caused him to start to get better. Or what caused him to go completely weird on them in the first place.
"All right, Daniel," Jack said, pushing his fears aside to get down to business as he walked to meet him. Sighing, he clapped his hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Back to the infirmary for you."
Daniel hesitated, tensing slightly under Jack's grasp, but finally nodded. "Okay," he answered weakly.
Jack froze, knowing full well that he wasn't the only one shocked by Daniel.
Carter stepped forward, helping to support him. "When did you start speaking English?"
"I…I am?" Daniel appeared flustered, bringing a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I, uh, I guess…just a few minutes ago. It all just snapped together." He swayed slightly, grabbing onto Carter. "But…I don't think…I'm going to pass out now."
Jack caught him, cursing under his breath as he felt Daniel's body go limp. "Better call the Doc!" he shouted.
Damn, couldn't they catch a break?
