Title: Affairs of the Heart
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with them once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise.
Author's Note: Hi everyone, sorry this chapter has taken so long, my muse hit my old laptop with a zat gun and I had to buy a new one. But I'm back in business and my muse is on report and not aloud to travel through the Stargate for a week. That will teach him. Okay enough fooling around, on with the story.
Thanks to: Ern-Mart Varun: I'm not really sure about the twins being Hareseis; since they were conceived before Mac was blended. That one's going to take some though. Glad you like it though. Winjan: No more JAG characters will be joining the SGC, that's it. As for AJ being a Tok'ra, it just seemed right and I thought the Gunny would make a good SG team member, lots of ass kicking. Thanks for reading; I always look forward to your reviews. Hdrexel: Hi Marc, thank you very much and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Nightshae: I think Jacob would get on well with AJ, along with Amon; they can have a real good time. RinkRat: Yep, Mac and Harm are stuck with each other for a long, long, long time. Isn't love grand? Foxfur: Thank you for reading. KTarra: Thanks. Jayne: Thank you for the email, I hope you go my reply. Sarah: Thank you. Babeface78: I like proving people wrong and surprising them. Alikhar: Thank you. Jen: You're right Tal'en shouldn't be alone. Will consider that one. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. Richard Boden: Thank you for the support. Phifa Halliwell: I'm glad you liked it, this is my first crossover and I'm happy everyone likes it.
Affairs of the HeartChapter Seven: Path to Redemption
Cheyenne Mountain: Stargate Command (2000)Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie-Rabb didn't have to look at her watch to know it was nearly midnight she just knew. Which meant SG-2 would be home soon. Closing the files she been working on, she got up and left her office, it had become a habit of hers to stay at the base when Harm was off world and she wasn't the only one. Ceri stayed on base when Daniel was off world, Alyn and Callie stayed when both Ceri and Daniel were gone, as was the case now. The President had decided SG-1 and SG-1alpha worked exceptionally well together and re-designated them SG-1 again, even though it meant having two married couples serving together.
Stepping into the elevator, Mac chose the level she wanted, leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes. When it stopped sooner then she expected she opened them again, seeing Dr. Frasier entering.
"Hi Janet."
"Colonel," she greeted warmly. The doors closed and the elevator moved again. "How are you feeling Mac?"
"Good," she answered. "I'll be even better when Harm gets back."
That made Janet smile. "Having a hard time sleeping?"
"A little," she rubbed a hand over her swollen stomach. "These two seem to get more restless when their father is off world."
"Callie is always restless when her parents are off world," Janet noted, and then added. "I remember I finished patching up SG-7 early one morning and was heading to the commissary for coffee when I saw Daniel walking the corridors with Callie, it was the first time Ceri had gone off world since her birth and Callie wouldn't settle. In dire frustration, he grabbed her basinet and took her to the conference room. Five minutes after he put her down in the basinet on the conference room table, she was asleep. I offered to get him coffee; by the time I returned he was asleep in a chair, his feet on the conference room table. General Hammond walked in and saw them both, smiled and walked back out again laughing quietly to himself."
Mac chuckled. "Was it the same when Ceri was here and Daniel was gone?"
"It was, thankfully though Colonel O'Neill came up with an idea that has worked since." Janet revealed. "Callie sleeps with a teddy-bear made out of two old fatigue shirts of her parents, it smells like them and she never lets it out of her sight."
"I'm going to have to remember that," the Marine decided.
The elevator stopped and they got out, going to the control room. General Hammond was still there; he acknowledged them both with a nod. "Doctor, Colonel."
"Sir," both said.
"Weren't you going home sir?" Janet asked him.
He smiled wearily. "I decided to finish off some paper work and the time got a way from me. What are you two ladies still doing here?"
"Cassie is having a sleep over at a friends house, that and SG-3 needed dealing with earlier in the evening." Janet declared.
"I was doing paper work," Mac admitted. "With the Commander off world, I've been staying on base, so I thought it was a good time to catch up."
He pulled out a chair for the pregnant Marine. "I see. Sit down Colonel, I don't want to be at the end of a tongue lashing if your husband returns and you're on your feet."
"Yes sir," she did so. "Any news from SG-1 sir?"
"Not as yet, Colonel, but then again, sometimes no news is good news."
"Yes sir, it is." Janet agreed.
The klaxon's sounded. "Incoming warm hole," Sergeant Davis reported, the gate opened and the iris closed. The sergeant checked the incoming IDC. "It's SG-2 sir."
"Open the iris." Hammond ordered.
"Yes sir." He did so quickly.
A few minutes later SG-2 came stumbling out. Harm was supporting Lt. Ryans, who was limping badly. Janet rushed out of the control room as the call for a medical team was given. She ran into the Gate room as Harm helped the Lieutenant to sit down at the end of the ramp. "What happened, Commander?"
"Ryans decided to find a faster way down a slippery hill, I don't think it's broken," he reported.
"Sorry sir," Jodie Ryans apologized again as the doctor took a look.
Harm rolled his eyes. "Jodie stop it, it was an accident," he looked to the rest of his team. "Guys, tell her?"
"It was an accident," Captain Davidson said.
"Yeah, Jod," Read and Williams agreed.
"See," Harm told her. "Forget it, besides Williams enjoyed carrying you to the Gate."
Jodie groaned. "Doc, save me."
Janet smiled; she helped the young women up as the orderlies arrived with a gurney. "You're saved Lieutenant."
"Thank you Ma'am," she accepted the help up, laying back she was pushed away.
Janet then looked back at the remaining team members. "Now gentlemen, I suggest you also head to the infirmary." They're cheerfulness disappeared quickly and they walked out, grumbling. She just chuckled and waved to Mac as she left herself.
In the control room, General Hammond patted the Colonel on the shoulder. "Give Dr. Frasier five minutes with your husband and then go rescue him, Mac."
"Yes sir," she stood. "Five minutes is about as long as I need to walk that far."
Hammond laughed a little. "Get some sleep too, Colonel."
"Yes sir. You too sir."
"I'm going to Mac," he agreed, deciding his quarters on base looked inviting about now.
She nodded and left the control room, heading for the infirmary. By the time she arrived, Harm had his post-mission check up done and was waiting to find out about his injured team member.
He knew when his wife had arrived, sensing her presence. He turned and smiled. "Hi beautiful." He held out his arms.
Mac just shook her head. "Not until you've had a shower, Hammer," she smirked, referring to his muddy fatigues.
He dropped his arms and pouted. "They say mud is good for the complexion, Sarah."
"So I've heard, but that's alien mud," she noted matter of fact.
"True."
Janet came out to them. "Go take a shower, Commander. Ryans is fine, it's just sprain."
"Thanks doc."
"Now out and take the rest of SG-2 with you," she ordered.
"Yes Ma'am," he agreed grinning. "Come on guys, will check up on Jodie in the morning."
"Out!" Janet commanded.
They laughed and took off. Mac chuckled. "You would have made a good Marine, Janet."
"Comes with having to deal with Colonel O'Neill," she mused. "Get some sleep, Mac."
"I will, night Janet."
"Night."
Hassara System: Jacob's Cargo Ship
Ceri paced back and forward, usually patient, this mission had her jumpy. She'd pushed hard to be there, the General had wanted her to go to Ravanna with the rest of SG-1, but she'd convinced him differently.
"When did George decide to reform the two teams into one?" Jacob inquired making conversation. They were still waiting for word from Daniel.
"After our mission to P2X 338," she revealed. "We had to work together to get out of that Tomb," she shivered at the memory. "I think the General realized we're better together then apart. That and we hardly seemed to work apart anyway."
Jacob was going to comment when Daniel's voice came over the communicator. "Jacob?"
"What the hell's going on Daniel?" He asked.
"Anubis knows the location of the Tok'ra base. Osiris says he's attacking right now."
Ceri retook her seat. "Get to the shield Daniel, shut it down, we're coming in."
"No, forget it Ceri, I have a plan."
Jacob jumped in before an argument could break out. "What are you doing, Danny?"
"He's in Yu's cargo ship," Ceri revealed, having been keeping tabs on her husband telepathically.
"I can fly Yu's ship out from inside the shield without shutting it down right?" He asked having over heard his wife.
"Yes, why?" Jacob asked him.
"Uh, 'cos I'm taking Osiris with me."
Ceri sighed; she knew her husband wanted to desperately save his friend. "Do you have her now?"
"No, but I'm working on it."
"He's powering up the systems on the ship," she reported, still following his progress.
"Daniel, the chemical weapon you're carrying could be the only way we can stop the attack on Ravanna." Jacob reminded.
"Yeah, and Osiris could eventually lead us to Anubis," Daniel declared strongly. "And you and your buddies can remove the snake and save Sarah, right?"
Ceri didn't let Jacob answer. "How are you going to fly Yu's ship, Daniel?"
"Well… I've flown a mother ship. How hard can it be?"
She groaned and shook her head. "You'd better get ready, Jacob."
"You've got a lot of confidence in your husband, kiddo," he smirked, doing what she suggested.
"I have, except when it comes to flying," she stated bluntly, closing her eyes.
Jacob just shook his head and chuckled. He waited, watching Ceri as she sat with her eyes closed; when she frowned he knew something was wrong. "What is it?"
"It's all gone to hell," she said opening her eyes.
Looking out, Jacob saw the escape pod pass through the shield around the space station. "That better be him."
"It is," she assured.
Daniel's voice them came over the communicator. "Get me out of this thing."
"We're on our way." Jacob informed and piloted the ship. "I'll get into position, you bring him aboard."
Ceri nodded and got up, going to the control for the ring device. "Ready."
He got them in position. "Do it."
She activated the ring device and the pod ringed in, promptly falling over, the bang echoed through the ship. She ran over and opened it. "Are you okay?"
"Oh yeah," he admitted in a little pain. "Thanks."
Ceri helped him out, pulling him into her arms; she kissed him firmly on the mouth. Daniel wrapped his arms around her, responding to the kiss, by crushing her against him.
Jacob looked back, clearing his throat loud enough to part the two. "What happened?"
They came forward. "I had her, then Yu had me and I had to get our of there without her finding out." Daniel explained.
"The poison?"
He patted the case he carried it in. "Right here."
"Good man."
Daniel took the sit his wife had occupied. "How long is it going to take us to get there?" He asked referring to Ravanna.
"Pushing the hyperdrive engines at full power… six hours."
Ceri gripped Daniel's shoulder. "We may already be too late."
He knew that. "I know this may seem unimportant right now, but I may as well tell you anyway. I think I figured out why the Goa'uld population hasn't been growing much lately," he said and told them what he saw.
His wife wrinkled her nose. "That's disgusting."
"Oh yeah."
Jacob just frowned. The Tok'ra council needed to know about this. "It's explains a lot." He stated. "Good work, Danny."
"Well at least the whole mission wasn't a complete bust," Daniel remarked.
"You did the right thing, Daniel." Jacob told him. "Taking out those few system lords would have done nothing to stem the tide of the war with the Goa'uld, not with Anubis now in the picture. As Selmac said, his crimes were unspeakable."
"So there is a bigger picture?" Ceri stated.
"There certainly is, Dr. O'Neill." Selmac declared, having taken control of her host. "For now thought we have another problem at hand."
Six hours later, they came out of hyperspace, the console beeping.
Ceri was seated at the controls. "We're getting an alert from the surface."
"What does it say?" Daniel asked from the second seat.
Jacob frowned from his position behind Ceri. "The base has been compromised. Assume no survivors. We should go," he patted her shoulder. "Ceri." She got up and let him take the controls, as she did the console beeped again. Jacob sat down. "We're getting another signal."
"What is it?" She asked.
A small smile appeared on his lips. "It's an SOS."
"Well, it has to be Jack or Sam." Daniel theorized.
"Hopefully both and more. Let's ride." Jacob said happily. Taking the ship down into the atmosphere of Ravanna.
Outside the ship death gilders started firing. Inside Ceri held onto Jacob's chair to stop from being thrown around.
"What the hell?" Daniel swore.
The ship uncloaked. "We've been hit," Jacob reported. "Our clocking mechanism has failed. They must have locked onto our heat signature as we passed through the atmosphere." They all felt the ship shudder as it was hit again. "I can't shake 'em." Sparks few from the control panels and the ship started to shake even more violently as Daniel pulled his wife down onto his lap, holding her tight as Jacob fought for control. "I'm diverting power to the shields. We're losing altitude fast. Hang on Danny, Ceri, we're going in."
Both looked as Ravanna's forest was getting closer and closer.
"This is going to be rough, guys." Jacob informed.
The cargo ship smashed it way through the trees, it's passengers hanging on for dear life as it bumped over a hill before nose diving into soft earth, coming to a thundering halt.
Daniel came too first, pulling back from the control console as sparks erupted from it. Ceri came round, having been thrown to the floor, bruised by unhurt. She got to her feet and helped him to his. They hurried over to Jacob who was lying on the floor, blood on his forehead.
"Are you okay, Jacob?" She asked him.
"Not really," he moaned, and used his sleeve to wipe the blood from his forehead.
"Yeah, you'd think a race advanced enough to fly around in space ships would be smart enough to have seat belts, huh?" Daniel remarked sarcastically.
"We just prefer not to crash."
They helped him up. "Come on, we'd better get out of here." Daniel said.
Getting Jacob out of the ship, Ceri reached out telepathically and sensed her adopted father and Teal'c. "This way." She gestured to a small path.
"Led on," Jacob insisted, letting Daniel help him.
They meet up with Jack and Teal'c not far down the path. "Are you injured?" Teal'c asked them rhetorically.
"I'll live." Jacob answered.
"We're fine." Daniel insisted.
"How's our ride?" Jack asked.
"Not going anywhere fast." Ceri told him.
"Great," he grumbled and guided them back to where they'd left Carter and Lt. Elliot, the sole surviving member of SG-17.
Sam heard someone coming and grabbed her P-90, relieved to see who it was. "Dad." She got up and went over to her father, who was now walking on his own. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, looks worse than it is. Are you all right?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Daniel saw not everyone was. "How's Elliot?"
"He's in rough shape, he got injured during a cave in, and Lantash went into him to try and save him but it's not working." Sam revealed, gravely.
Ceri knelt beside him, putting her hand on his forehead; she closed her eyes, but was forced out, she opened them. "I can't help him, I can't form a link. Lantash won't let me."
He smiled weakly at her. "It's all right, Dr. O'Neill."
"I'm sorry Lieutenant," she said and then stood, returning to Daniel's side.
"There's a chance we might be able to save the cargo ship, but not before this whole area is swarming with Jaffa. Those gliders defiantly made our position," Jacob said, giving them the facts.
"We cannot escape through the Stargate." Teal'c said bluntly.
"We still have this," Daniel announced as he got the poison out.
"As much area as that will cover…" Jacob began.
And Ceri finished for him. "The chemical won't spread from here to the Stargate."
"Well we can't release it," Sam stated the obvious. "It will kill, dad, Elliot and Teal'c."
"Then I guess I've got to figure out a way to get it to the Gate." Jack said straight forth.
"It's suicide," Jacob said, mirroring his daughter's disapproval. "And you're assuming the Jaffa won't shoot you on sight."
"Given the lack of cover and the size of the Jaffa army, I do not believe even I could make it to the Stargate undetected." Teal'c added.
"If I could get close enough, I could do it telekinetically." Ceri noted, making her husband frown in disapproval.
"Leave it here with me," Lt. Elliot's weak voice told them.
They all turned and looked at him. "What good's that going to do?" Jack voiced.
"You can leave here and hide… The Jaffa will find me… I'll tell them I know the formula," he stopped, catching his breath. "They'll take me to the Gate."
"He is correct," Teal'c revealed. "He will be taken to the base camp by the Stargate before being sent to the mother ship."
"Won't they search him first?" Jack inquired obviously.
"Then I'll… Then I'll set off the weapon… take out as many as I can," Elliot told them. He saw SG-1 and Jacob exchange glances; closing his eyes he let Lantash take control. His eyes opened again. "Please… We're both going to die… I cannot save us," he looked directly at Sam, who was still by his side. "But there is a chance we can save you"
Jack bristled at the interaction between his wife and the Tok'ra, but he pushed his jealousy aside. "What about Elliot?"
The transition from symbiote to host was flawless. "It doesn't make sense for any of you… to risk your lives to try and save me…. Give me the device." He waited, his breathing labored as Daniel glanced at Jack, who looked away, nodding reluctantly. The linguist handed him the device, Elliot took it, finding the action painful. "Now go. They'll be here soon."
Sam caressed the side of his face; she wanted to say something but couldn't.
"He's happy now, he just wanted you to know how he felt," Elliot told her. "He knows Colonel O'Neill will look after you."
"I'll never forget him, or you," she assured and she wouldn't.
A glider flew overhead.
"Ground forces will not be far behind," Teal'c informed and started to walk away.
Jacob lent close to his daughter. "Sam, we've got to go."
She reluctantly agreed, letting her father help her up and guide her away. Jack nodded to Elliot and hurried after his wife and father-in-law.
Daniel saw and sensed Elliot's fear, as did Ceri. She knelt down and tucked the device into his vest pocket for him. She'd always liked the young man, he reminded her of her brother. She ran a finger over his forehead and sent a calming pulse though to him. He smiled weakly and she stood, taking her husbands hand she let him lead her away.
Two days later when they stepped through the Stargate inside Cheyenne Mountain, they were solemn. Jacob had been reunited with his fellow Tok'ra, so it was only SG-1 who stood there at the bottom of the ramp.
"Welcome back SG-1." Hammond greeted, seeing the strain the last mission had taken on them all. "Dr. Frasier is waiting for you in the infirmary. We'll debrief in an hour."
"Yes sir," Sam responded for the team and they walked away.
They made it through the physicals, showered, dressed and headed for the conference room for the debriefing. Spilling out the entire story to the General.
Hammond had received a phone call from Frasier before SG-1 had arrived. He was now agreeing with her assessment. "Very well," he pushed back his chair and stood. "As of this moment SG-1 is on stand down for the next four days, get some rest people." He ordered and left the room.
They sat there for a moment, then stood and left themselves. Daniel and Ceri wanted to get to their quarters, to get their daughter and protector and go home. Teal'c headed for his quarters to Kel'no'reem. Jack and Sam made one stop at their quarters to change out of their fatigues and then headed home themselves. Barely speaking on the way, both had handled what had happened differently.
Inside the house, Sam took Jack's hand and guided him to the main bedroom; she didn't say anything she didn't need too. He undressed her slowly, nipping at exposed flesh, exploring as if it was the first time. Laying her on the bed, he undressed himself and joined her.
Sam caressed his cheek. "I love you, Jack."
"I love you too," he whispered.
She ran her fingers through his hair. "I want to have a baby, Jack. I want us to have a baby."
He knew by the look in her eyes she was serious, it frightened him a little more then he wanted to admit. With all joking aside, was he ready to be a father again?
"Jack, say something? Please?" She pleaded.
"You're going to make a wonderful mother, Sam," he said and then kissed her, gently parting her lips, feeling her response. The thrusting of her tongue, the rubbing of her hips against his. He'd been waiting to touch her for so long, ached to touch her. The feel of her skin under his hand was like silk; the movement of her body against his was intoxicating. He pushed between her thighs and found her so ready for him, when he plunged inside they both groaned. He moved slowly, savoring every thrust, every moment of bliss.
Sam gripped his shoulders, arching against him, feeling as if she was on fire, her body hummed with sexual pleasure. She moaned, her nipples brushing against the hairs on his chest. He grabbed her hip and seemed to thrust even deeper inside her, she tightened around him, urging him to do it again and he did. "Oh god Jack…" She gasped. She closed her eyes, feeling like she was falling into an abyss of sexual ecstasy. "Jack…"
"Open your eyes, baby?"
She did, staring into his, then he did it, he moved his hips in a slight circular motion and she fell, crying out as the wave of ecstasy hit and her body convulsed with spasms of bliss. Jack rolled, taking her with him, so he lay on the bed and she was on top, keeping them joined. Her blue eyes were dark with desire, she moved slowly, gripping him on every upward thrust, his eyes remained open and on her. She knew he was close, she licked a finger and began to slowly caress the sensitive skin between her thighs, feeling that well of ecstasy build again within her, bring her close again to the edge of the abyss.
Jack moaned and gripped her hips. "Sam…oh yes baby…"
She began to lose it again. "Jack!"
He thrust hard against her, losing all control, crying out as she did, both of them going over into that well, floating in sexual mist.
She collapsed against him, her body still in the throws of elation and he held her, not wanting to let her go.
He stroked her hair lovingly. "I love you, Sam."
"I love you too, Jack."
He lay there with her, stroking her back, he wanted a child with her. He new he did. He wanted to see her body change as their child grew inside her. He wanted everything he missed out on before.
"Jack?" Sam saw the look in his eyes. "Are you all right?"
Nodding he kissed her swollen lips. "I won't let what happened to Charlie, happen to our child."
"I know Jack." God she should have seen that, known he would doubt himself. "You're going to be the best father." She got up and lay beside him, her head on his chest. "Our child will be special."
He smiled at that, his self-doubt lifting a little. "I'd be happy with ten fingers, ten toes and healthy."
Sam chuckled looking up. "Jack, I've a protein marker in my blood, you've had the Ancients database downloaded into your brain. Not to mention you have the Ancientgene. Our child will be as special as Callie and as the twins will be."
"You know, I've been wondering," he said curious. "Will the twins be born with the knowledge of the Tok'ra, you know be Hareseis?"
"I'm not sure, they were conceived before Mac's blending. It's possible they could share some of Nitara's knowledge, even Ciaran's. I guess we'll have to wait and see," she saw Jack frown. "What is it?"
"If they were kidnapped…" his voice faded. "If NID was to find out about them."
"They won't Jack," she said sincerely. "We won't let them. Nor will we let them hurt Callie, or our child."
He accepted that, even though he didn't dismiss it. In the back of his mind he knew the NID could hurt his family and hurt them badly.
Two houses down, Ceri and Daniel were playing on the floor with Callie, who was enjoying playing with blocks. Her father would build them up and she would knock them down and then laugh, clapping her little hands. Pharaoh was watching from a safe distance, safe from falling blocks.
The blocks came tumbling down again, tied of the game; Callie crawled up into her mothers lap and snuggled against her.
Ceri lent over and kissed her daughter's head. "Tried little girl?" She asked. "I think it's time for a nap."
Daniel stood and helped his wife to her feet while she held their daughter, who yawned. "I think you're right."
"Definitely," Ceri agreed and followed her husband into their daughter's room, she changed Callie's nappy before laying her in her cot, the little girl already asleep. She put the side of the cot up, feeling her husband's arms go round her. Pharaoh took his usual position near the cot on his matt. I still find her being here a miracle even now. She sent to him telepathically.
So do I, he agreed. He kissed the back of his wife's head. Come on sweetheart; let's leave her sleep.
Nodding, Ceri went with him back into the living room, taking the opportunity to relax with him on the sofa. He lay with his head on her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair. As she did a dread flowed through her, gripping her soul. She sensed pain and there was nothing but grief – hers. It was gone though as quickly as it had come. Leaving her feeling drained.
"Ceri?" Daniel looked up at her worriedly. "Are you all right?"
She managed a nodded; he hadn't felt it, which meant it was a message meant for her alone – a prediction maybe? She reassured him. Whatever was going to happen, she'd face it head on as she always did. "I'm fine, it's nothing."
"Are you sure?" He asked concerned.
"Yes," she lent over and kissed his lips. "Very. I love you."
"I love you too," he said and settled back against her lap.
Ceri put her feet up on the coffee table and lent back, resting her head against the back of the sofa. She'd only experienced that feeling of dread once before and then a few months later the Goa'uld had attacked Tallisia. Squeezing her eyes shut she prayed she wouldn't go through that again, she couldn't bare to lose her family on Earth, she had so much here now, her husband and daughter.
Daniel sat up, sensing there was more to her sudden silence. "What's wrong Ceri?"
She opened her eyes. "I just have a feeling something bad is going to happen and there's nothing I can do to stop it," she admitted solemnly.
He drew her into his arms, comforting her. "Nothing is going to happen, I won't let it," he assured lightly.
She chuckled softly. "Promise?"
"I promise," he said tightening his hold her.
Abydos: Some months later (2001)Ceri O'Neill-Jackson stood at the entrance of the tent; the sun was rising but the coolness of the night still hung in the air. Mornings were always her favourite time, now was no different. With each new day the pain eased a little, it didn't take it away completely. The dread she'd sensed that day had come to pass and she hadn't been able to stop it. Nothing could take away the pain of losing her husband. A single act of heroism had taken Daniel from her. His death freed him of his burden and he had ascended with the help of Oma Deslea. He was gone from their existence to one on a higher plane. But he was gone.
Coming to Abydos had been Jack's idea, she'd agreed, bundling her daughter up, then along with Pharaoh, taking only what she could carry in a backpack, she had stepped through the gate to Abydos and into the welcoming arms of Kasuf. He gave her the time to grieve, to heal emotionally and come to terms with her lose. Losing her bond with Daniel had been emotionally devastating. His presence, his thoughts, feelings, were all gone in the moment her father had severed the bond, once more making them two souls. Sensing his death had been overwhelming for her even so.
"Good daughter?"
She looked back, smiling a little; she'd sensed Kasuf's approach. "I'm find good father," she assured. "Is Callie awake?"
"Not as yet," he revealed. Standing at her side they watched the sun rise. "Pharaoh is with her."
"She is much like her father," Ceri said in a whisper. "Daniel liked to sleep late, he didn't do it often, not as frequently as he wanted and very rarely off world."
"I remember when he lived with us, before his return to Earth," Kasuf said dryly, "he did not like to welcome the morning sun. Sha're found it amusing."
She smiled at that. "He like to cuddle too," she mused. "When off world, Daniel and I share a tent with dad. We were on this one planet and it was so cold," she recalled. "I woke up snuggled into Daniel with dad on the other side, huddled into the both of us." She realized there would be no more of those moments. Emotion built up and she hugged herself, feeling her chest tighten as her eyes watered. "Danny hated the cold."
"Yes, child he did," he said solemnly. "Good daughter," he sensed he needed to approach the next subject carefully. "Doyou not think it is time for you and Callie to return home?"
Ceri sighed. "I'm not sure I know where home is any more, good father."
"Of course you do," he contradicted strongly. "Earth is your home."
"Is it good father?" She asked rhetorically.
"Yes good daughter," he patted her shoulder and walked away.
Sighing she walked back inside the tent, lost within her own thoughts.
'He's right you know,' a familiar voice told her.
She looked up, stunned, barely believing who was standing before her, dressed in Abydonian robs. Tears welled in her eyes again. "Daniel?"
He smiled warmly. 'I'm here my wife.'
She felt she could hardly breath; he was there before her, as he was before the radiation poisoning, alive and well. With a shaky hand she reached out to touch him, but her hand passed right through him and her heart broke, he wasn't there, he wasn't really there. "Oh god."
'Ceri honey, you're not dreaming,' he caressed her cheek, making it tingle. 'I'm really here. Well here in the sense that my consciousness is here. I'm just not here in the full physical flesh and blood sense, which is really neither here nor there, but your not dreaming this or imagining it.'
Ceri almost laughed, here she was talking to her deceased husband, the same husband she'd seen Ascend and he was lecturing her. She blinked and her tears fell. "I thought I'd never see you again."
'I told you I'd always be with you,' he reminded. Turning he walked over to their daughter, who was still sleeping peacefully, hankering down. Pharaoh merely accepted his presence without question. Daniel found that amusing, but concentrated on his daughter, gently running a finger over her cheek. She signed in her sleep but didn't wake.
"She misses you. I miss you." Ceri told him, moving further inside the tent.
He looked back. 'I miss you both,' he stood and faced her again. 'It's time to go home Ceri, the team needs you.'
"What about what I need?" She asked a little angry, then took a deep breath. She had no reason to be angry with him.
Daniel knew she was in pain, he moved to stand before her. 'I would have died anyway. You heard Jacob; he couldn't heal me completely. He may have been able to give me a few more months, perhaps a year, but eventually I would have died. This way I'm still doing some good and I can keep an eye on you, Callie and the rest of our family.' He touched her cheek once more. 'Always remember I love you, you and Callie. Tell her about me.'
She watched his seemly solid form become pure white energy until only his face was still visible. "You're leaving?"
'I have to,' he said, moving closer. 'I love you.'
"Don't leave," she pleaded.
'I'm sorry,' Daniel said gently, he moved close enough that he could wrap her in his energy, placing a kiss on her forehead before becoming completely energy, dissipating, leaving her alone once more.
Ceri sunk to her knees and sobbed into her hands, her pain evident. He had come to say goodbye.
Kasuf rushed in, hearing not only Ceri's sobs but Callie's too, the toddler had woken sensing her mother's distress, Skarra had come with him, going over to his little niece, he lifted her into his arms as his father knelt and drew Ceri into his arms, holding her while she cried. They had been warned this could happen, O'Neill had come through the Chappa'ia a few days after Ceri had arrived and spoke to Kasuf without her knowledge, leaving again before she knew of his visit. Her grief was so strong she hadn't even sense his presence.
Kasuf gently rubbed the young woman's back; she was as valuable to him as his own daughter had been. "You will heal now good daughter."
She pulled back a little. "Yes good father," she wiped the tears from her cheeks and sat back. The pain in her heart had eased a little more. "You were right, it is time to go home."
"You're leaving Dr. Ceri." Skarra stated the obvious, his niece cuddling into his shoulder, sucking on her thumb.
She nodded. "It's time for Dr. Jackson to return to the SGC."
He smiled warmly, understanding. "I believe they will be happy to have you back."
She smiled. "I just hope they can handle having another Dr. Jackson."
"They never lost you, good daughter," Kasuf told her. "Now, let us have morning meal and then Skarra and I will accompany you and Callie to the Chappa'ia."
"Thank you good father."
Two hours later they at the Stargate, Ceri once more in her fatigues, and Callie holding tight to her Uncle Skarra's hand. Ceri had her backpack on her back; Pharaoh was ready to leave when they were. Kasuf and Skarra were not the only ones to accompany her though, many of the young man and women of the tribe had. They had embraced her into their tribe as they had with Daniel. Now as she was ready to leave, they gathered around her, touching her with gentleness, whispering words of support.
Ceri finally moved away from them when their goodbyes were done and dialled the DHD, opening the Gate. She transmitted her IDC and then turned to Kasuf. "Thank you, good father."
He embraced her gently. "Be safe good daughter."
"I will," she assured. "We both will."
He nodded and moved out of the way, letting Skarra hug her as Kasuf said goodbye to his surrogate granddaughter. "Dan-yel would be proud of you, my sister." The young man told her.
"I know, my brother," she said smiling. "Take care of Kasuf."
"I will," he assured.
She stepped back, taking one last look around she took her daughter from Kasuf and along with Pharaoh, she walked up to the Stargate and stepped through, travelling the wormhole to step out onto the ramp within the SGC.
General Hammond was standing at the bottom of the ramp, smiling. "Welcome home, Dr. Jackson."
She smiled curiously as she walked down the ramp with her protector. She hadn't contacted him to tell of that decision. "Sir?"
"When your IDC was received, it came through as being Dr. Jackson's," he explained, guiding her out of the Gate room. "I take it your going to be using your married name from now on?"
"Yes sir," she answered. "I request permission to resume my duties with SG-1?"
"Very well. Welcome back."
"Thank you sir."
Their first stop was the infirmary, where both she and Callie were checked over by Janet, who welcomed her home with a hug, as the General held Callie in his arms, Pharaoh at his feet.
They all heard running and Ceri smiled sensing who was coming. "I suggest you step to your left General." She advised.
He did, narrowly avoiding the excited Colonel, Major and composed Jaffa that rushed in, welcoming the young woman back, hitting her with a number of questions all at once.
Ceri laughed and reassured them. "I'm fine and I'm home to stay."
"Dr. Jackson has asked to be returned to duty, Colonel," the General announced.
Jack realized whom he was talking about. He hugged his surrogate daughter again. "I accept, General."
"It is good to have you back, Ceri Jackson." Teal'c said sincerely.
"Thank you Teal'c."
Sam took her husband's hand when he released Ceri. "Rather good timing too."
"It is?" Ceri asked her, curiously.
"Uh huh," Sam grinned. "You're going to have a baby brother or sister. I'm pregnant."
Ceri let out a little squeal and hugged her. "Sam that's great."
"Oh yeah," Jack boasted and everyone laughed.
Alyn came into the room, smiling happily. "I thought I sensed your presence."
Ceri went over and hugged her. "It was time to come home."
She sensed the young woman had conquered the grief that had overwhelmed her. "I'm glad you are, my little angel too."
The General carried Callie over and the little girl went into her nannies arms. "There you go Alyn."
"Thank you, General." She gave Callie a gentle hug. "Hello little one."
Ceri sensed Teal'c directly behind her before he put his hands on her shoulders, she lent against him. His protectiveness hadn't changed any, if anything it had grown stronger. "We're going to be fine, my friend."
"I believe so, Ceri Jackson."
"All right people," the General announced. "Lets get back to work and let Dr. Jackson head home. SG-1 is back on the mission list as of tomorrow morning."
"Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to head to my office and catch up on some work." Ceri informed.
"Very well doctor, I'll send a message to your father and let him know you're back," Hammond revealed and walked out.
"SG-2 was stood down for a few days, so Harm is at home with Mac and the twins," Jack told her. "I'll give them a ring for you."
"Thanks dad."
"Well this little angle and I are heading for some water play, I think she'll enjoy that after Abydos." Alyn decided, happy to have them back.
Ceri smiled and stepped away from Teal'c, kissing her daughter on the forehead. "Have fun baby," she whispered.
Alyn gave her a one-arm hug. "It's good to have you back, Ceri."
"Thanks Alyn."
The Tok'ra nanny smiled and carried her ward out
"Come, Ceri Jackson, I will escort you to your office," Teal'c insisted.
She agreed, sensing he was being protective. "All right, Teal'c," she said and hugged both Sam and Jack before going with him.
They walked in silence; changed levels, going to eighteen, where her office was.
"Are you sure you are all right, Ceri Jackson." Teal'c asked her.
"I'm fine, Teal'c," she assured. "Each day it hurts a little less. What about you?"
"I am the same. Daniel Jackson was my friend and I considered him a brother. I shall never forget him."
"Neither will I, Teal'c," she promised. "He will always be my soul mate."
"I believe you are correct."
Several members of the SGC staff welcomed Ceri back, as did officers from different SG teams as they made their way through the base.
Arriving at her office they found the door opened, she frowned and walked in, seeing who it was. The one person she hadn't wanted to come across this soon after returning.
Teal'c went in after her, also seeing who it was. "Jonas Quinn?"
The young Kelwonan looked up, a little surprised and a little guilty at being discovered. "Hello Teal'c," he greeted. He knew who the woman was next to the Jaffa. "Hello Dr. O'Neill."
"Jackson." Ceri corrected bluntly.
"I'm sorry?"
"My name is Ceri Jackson. So I'm addressed as Dr. Jackson," she informed and went on before he could comment. "What are you doing in my office, Mr. Quinn?"
"General Hammond said it would be all right for me to read some of Dr. Jackson's…um your husband's mission journals." Jonas explained nervously.
"I'm sorry Mr. Quinn, but now that I'm back, my husbands journals are off limits. Now if you'll excuse me, my inbox is full."
"I tried to help," he said, trying hard to be cheerful and helpful.
"Thank you, but I can handle it."
Jonas reluctantly nodded. He put the journal back he'd been reading and left.
Ceri sighed and sat down. She shouldn't have been so hard on Jonas, but she couldn't forgive him. Not yet, possibly not ever. Forget for a while yes, but not forgive.
"Are you all right, Ceri Jackson?" Teal'c inquired.
"No, but I will be," she answered truthfully. "Thanks Teal'c."
He bowed his head and walked out.
Sighing again, Ceri grabbed the first folder from the inbox and opened it, soon becoming lost within her work. She didn't however miss her brother's arrival with his family, sensing him, Mac and the twins before they came into her office. She smiled. "Hi guys." She got up and hugged Harm after he put his son, who was snug in his car carrier down.
"Missed you little sister," he said gently rubbing her back.
"I missed you too, but I needed to go."
"I know."
Mac hugged her next, having put her daughter, also in a car carrier, next to her son. "I'm glad your back, Ceri."
She smiled. "Thanks Mac, how are my niece and nephew?"
"Growing."
Ceri knelt next to the two car carriers, smiling warmly. The twins had been born while Daniel had still been alive; in fact it had been Daniel who had delivered Ari. Mac had gone into labor one stormy night when they'd been over there for dinner. Janet had arrived in time to bring his sister Amelia into the world. Mac had swore not only in Russian but Farsi too, making both of them blush a few times.
Harm knelt down behind his sister, drawing her into his arms. "He would be proud of you," he whispered.
"I know," she wiped the tears that had fallen from her cheeks. "He'll look after them."
"From any plane of existence," he stated and then helped her up. "And we're here for you, you remember that."
"I will," she said hugging him again. They heard the klaxons. "That could be papa General Hammond said he was going to get a message to him."
"We'll know soon enough," Mac stated.
Sergeant Harriman's voice came over the PA system: "Dr. Jackson to the conference room."
Sensing her father and his symbiote, Ceri smiled. "It's papa."
Harm sensed him too, as did Mac; she patted the linguist on the arm, telling her. "You two go, I'll take the twins to day care and met you there."
"Are you sure?" Harm asked his wife.
"I'm sure, go," she insisted.
"We're going," he smirked and left with his sister.
Amon Rhabb was waiting in the conference room with General Hammond when they arrived. He embraced his daughter. "Hi sweetheart."
"Hi papa."
Harm greeted him too. "Hi dad."
"Harm, how are my grandchildren?" He asked, adding. "All of them?"
"They're fine."
"Callie is with Alyn at day care," Ceri informed. "They were going to have water play for a while, Alyn said after Abydos, Callie would like it."
Amon smiled warmly. "I'm sure she would honey."
Hammond cleared his throat. "I have work to get back to, I'll leave you to visit."
"Thanks George," Amon bided.
He nodded and returned to his office.
"So where is Mac?" Their father asked.
"She's dropping the twins off at day care." Harm informed.
"Let her know we'll be at the commissary, I have the taste for coffee," his father ordered.
"Yes sir," he mussed as they left the conference room, reaching out telepathically to his wife. Sarah, we're heading for the commissary. Dad wants coffee.
I'll meet you there, she sent back.
"She's on her way," Harm reported.
"Good," Amon said happily. "So how are Sam and Jack?"
"Sam is pregnant and dad is walking around like he accomplished a miracle," Ceri smirked.
Her father laughed at that. "I can't wait to tell Jacob that, in fact I'm surprised he didn't already know." He stated and saw his two children shrug. Jack!
There was a paused, then: Amon?
Yes, Jack it's me. What's this I hear about Sam being pregnant?
It's true, who bragged?" He asked.
Ceri did. You old dog, were you planing on telling Jacob before it's born? Amon asked him, he smiled seeing his son and daughter knew what he was up to.
They came to the commissary, seeing Jack standing near the entrance, arms folded against his chest. "Amon." He greeted.
"Jack," he said cheerfully. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, just don't go telling Jacob, I want the pleasure of telling him myself." Jack remarked grinning.
Amon laughed heartily. "As long as I'm around to see his face."
"That can be arranged."
Ceri rolled her eyes. "Dad, papa, I need coffee," she declared bluntly. "Lets go."
Harm chuckled. "Never get in the way of Dr. Jackson when she needs coffee," he teased.
"That's right Rabb, so move it," she ordered.
They laughed and followed her in. They got their coffee and found a table in a quiet corner. Mac came in a few minutes later, getting coffee for herself. Putting it on the table before she hugged her father-in-law. "It's good to see you again, dad."
"You too sweetie, you look great."
"Thank you," she remarked as they down. "Where's Sam, Jack?"
"In her lab with some doohickie that SG-5 brought back, she went gar gar over it when they brought it in, so I left her to it," he said casually and they all chuckled. "So how long are you staying, Amon?"
"A few days, I'm not in any hurry."
"Oh?" Jack asked curious.
He shrugged. "Lets just say the Tok'ra high council and I aren't getting along to well these days."
"Do the Tok'ra high council get along with anyone other then themselves?" Nitara asked taking control with Harm's blessing.
Amon blinked and let Adrick take control. "I'm starting to believe it's not possible, little one. Even Atum is losing patients with them. He even threatened to return to the Tau're on a permanent bases."
"Because of the fact Anubis is gaining power?" Ciaran asked, having taken control, having also asked permission to do so.
"We believe so." Adrick informed, telling them. "Latest Intel has Amon-Ra in legal with Anubis."
Jack cleared his throat, getting their attention. "And when were we going to be informed of that piece of information?"
"Now Colonel O'Neill." Adrick announced.
"Thank you sooo much."
Ceri ran her finger around the lip of her coffee cup. "There's something about Anubis that isn't right," she said thinking out loud. "Why take the pretence of being dead and then come back conquering all around you, even other Goa'uld?"
"A false sense of complacency," Mac offered gaining control.
"It might be a part of a bigger plan." Amon agreed.
She wasn't convinced. "It doesn't add up," she frowned still thinking about it as she pushed her chair back and stood taking her cup of coffee with her. "I've got to check something out. I'll see you all later." She muttered and wandered out.
Jack sat back and arched an eyebrow. "When she does that, she's just like Daniel was when he first joined SG-1," he said sombrely. "You may have broken their bond before he died, Amon, but you didn't take Daniel from her heart."
"I can see that."
"Doesn't that concern either of you?" Mac questioned. "I mean should she be acting like that?"
Amon sighed. "It's not unusual for a Tallisian to pick up their mates mannerisms, especially if that couple is strongly bonded," he explained, revealing. "When it came time to break their bond, I thought for a moment I wasn't going to be able to do it. She and Daniel were so strongly entwined. Stronger then I've ever seen any bonded couple."
"Look guys, she's fine and I for one am happy to have Ceri back with us and if I have to put up with her pulling a 'Daniel' every now and again, then so be it," Jack stated strongly. "What counts is Ceri is back and part of SG-1 once more. She's trying to put her life back together and the best thing we can do is support her."
Harm knew Jack was just as worried as they were, but he was also right, so he changed the subject. "So has Dr. Frasier given Sam a time frame for Gate travel?"
"Yeah, another month, then she wants her to lay off," the Colonel reported. "General Hammond wants me to look for a replacement for her, but I can't understand why we need someone else. Ceri, Teal'c and I can handle things."
"Well I guess he just want's a geek to add to your ultra coolness," Harm teased him.
"Oh so funny Hammer."
"I thought so."
Jack shook his head and finished his coffee. "Well, kids, I've got paper work I should be doing, excuse me."
"Don't work too hard, Jack," Amon advised.
"Not likely," he remarked sarcastically and headed out of the commissary.
"They're both hiding a lot of pain," the Tok'ra operative noted.
"More then they're going to admit to," his son agreed. "Daniel and Jack had been through a lot before Ceri, and after she came into their lives, she brought them together even more." He saw Jonas Quinn come into the commissary. "And the cause of some of that pain just walked in – Jonas Quinn."
Amon looked. "Forgetting is easier at times then forgiving," he quoted.
"Yes."
"Jonas has to live with what he did, too, Harm," Mac reminded. "He has to live the rest of his life knowing he did nothing while Daniel saved his people. He has Daniel's death on his hands. He feels guilty enough."
"I know, but I also have to see and feel my sister and my best friend suffer for what he didn't do, and that's not easy to forgive," he remarked. "I can however forget occasionally."
"You know I think I now understand what Ceri was telling us, the time she was talking in Ancient," Mac announced, thinking it over.
"What did she say?" Amon asked curious, recalling having been told about the incident.
"The secret of a leader lies in the tests they have faced over the whole course of their life and the habit of action they develop in meeting those test. When this leader is ready, then and only then shall the cause of their life become clear." Mac recited and then gestured for Jonas to join them. "It's time to face those tests and see what leaders we really are."
Jonas joined them, smiling. "Good morning, Commander, Colonel. Sir."
"Sit down, Jonas," Harm offered, seeing the truth in his wife's words.
"Thank you, sir."
Amon offered his hand to the younger man. "Amon Rhabb, Harm's father."
Jonas shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you sir."
"Like wise, Jonas, and cut the sir, I'm not military, I'm Tok'ra."
"All right," he agreed.
"So how do you like being on Earth, Jonas?" Amon asked.
"It's different, from what I've seen anyway, I'm not aloud to leave the base."
"That'll change," Mac assured him. "In time."
He nodded. "I'm not quiet sure the attitude around here will though," he admitted. "Everyone is friendly enough towards me, it's just sometimes I get the feeling not everyone trusts me."
"Trust is something you earn, Jonas," Harm told him. "And in time you'll earn it here."
"That's what General Hammond said."
"Well George is a pretty smart guy," Amon said grinning. "So give it a go, son. You might find it works."
Jonas nodded again and smiled. "I'll do that."
"Good," Amon finished his coffee. "Now, Harmon, Sarah, I'd like to see my grandchildren." He stood. "Jonas, it was nice to meet you."
"You too, Mr. Rhabb."
The Tok'ra operative held out his hand to the young man. "Amon."
Jonas stood and shook it. "Amon."
Mac and Harm also stood. "See you later, Jonas," both bided and left with Amon.
For the first time since he arrived, Jonas felt he'd made the right decision in coming to Earth. Maybe they could never forgive him for what he'd done, but it seemed possible they could forget – at least for a little while.
That evening, Ceri Jackson stood in the main bedroom of her home, her daughter was asleep in her room across the hall, they'd made it though dinner and bath time without any problems. Pharaoh was curled up beside her cot watching over the little girl, alert as always.
And Ceri was facing her first night back in her house since her husband's death, all was locked up and the lights were turned off. And she was there, fresh from the shower, her night clothes on, standing there wrapped in a silk robe that had been a gift from Daniel when she'd first arrived on Earth. "What do I do now, Daniel?" She whispered to the empty room.
'You go on,' a soft calm voice told her.
She turned seeing the Ascended being. "Is he all right, Oma?"
'He burns like a candle, sure and strong.'
Ceri went and sat on the edge of the bed, drawing her robe around her legs. "I really don't feel like double talk, Oma."
The Ascended being sat beside her, the bed not moving under her weight, after all she was energy. 'Daniel is fine.'
"Does he know you're here?" She asked.
'No,' Oma answered. 'He doesn't.'
"Then you came because?"
'I was asked to.'
Ceri was curious. "By Daniel?"
'No.'
A second Ascended being materialized in the bedroom, this was one Ceri hasn't be expecting. She stood and walked over to him. "Darien?"
Her brother smiled. 'Hello Ceri.'
"How?" She asked, still stunned.
'Oma,' he answered. 'She helped me Ascend.'
Ceri turned back. "You did that?"
Oma nodded. 'Your brother was pure of heart, he did it mostly himself.'
Turning back, Ceri hugged herself. Her brother was just as she remembered him. Tall, handsome, thick brown hair and silvery gold eyes, he looked a little like Harm, which was expected, they did have the same father. "Why now?"
'Because you need me,' Darien answered her.
Oma stood. 'There are many paths; you must chose the one you will walk. No one can chose it for you,' she told her.
"You leaving," Ceri declared and saw her nod. "Thank you."
'There is no need for thanks.'
"I know," the younger woman smiled. "Thank you anyway."
Nodding, Oma became pure radiant white light. 'You are not alone, Ceri Jackson.' She said, and then was gone.
Ceri looked back to her brother, emotion well in her chest. She moved to sit back on the bed. "Sometimes I think I have this all under control and then…"
He sat beside her. 'I didn't mean to hurt you, Ceri.'
She sniffed, her eyes wet with tears. "It hurts so much, Darien. First Tallisia and now Daniel. How much more do I have to take?"
'I'm sorry,' he wiped the back of his hand gently against her cheek. 'I wish I could take away your pain, but I can't. That's something you must do alone.'
"I don't think I can."
He smiled. 'You're no quitter little sister, I know how strong you are. You've come so far,' he said tenderly. 'You went through the Defense Force Academy, earned multiple degrees and became an outstanding pilot. You've helped enrich the lives of so many.'
"That's doesn't stop the pain, Darien," she stated. "Mine or Callie's."
'No it doesn't, but it will make you stronger, and Callie will grow up to be a wonderful child. She's loved by so many.'
"But she won't have a father."
'No, but she has two grandfather's, an Uncle and a number of SGC personnel who will fill that role for her.' He stood and turned. 'Ceri, you've come to terms with Daniel's death. You know as well he did, Ascending was his only chose. His journey is just beginning. Just as yours is.' Leaning over he kissed the top of her head. 'What happened to Daniel wasn't any ones fault, he knew what he was doing.'
"I know."
'Then you know what you must do,' he told her.
Ceri squeezed her eyes shut; when she opened them again she was alone once more. With a push from her mind, the overhead light was turned off, bathing the room in twilight. She crawled further up onto the bed, cuddling Daniel's pillow to her chest she snuggled into it and fell asleep. This was her journey and she chose her path.
Standing in the doorway to Dr. Jackson's office, Jonas hesitated then knocked on the open door. He'd been avoiding the archaeologist for the past two days, it was time to stop and face her.
Ceri didn't have to look up, she knew who it was. She'd been expecting this since her Ascended brother had made his visit, a visit she hadn't told anyone about. "What can I do for you, Jonas?"
"I was wondering if you needed a hand," he said uncertainly.
She looked up. "Why?" She asked bluntly.
He was confused. "I'm sorry?"
"Why do you want to help?"
Jonas shrugged. "I feel like I need to contribute some how."
Sighing, Ceri gestured to a seat. "Sit down, Jonas," she offered, waiting until he'd done so. She'd been putting this off, but no more. "Tell me something?" She asked. "And I want the truth."
"Sure." He agreed.
"What were you thinking when the device went critical?"
He swallowed hard. "I was frightened," he admitted. "I was so scared I couldn't move. I should have though, it should have been me that dived through and shut it down."
"But you didn't," she noted and felt his guilt, as well as saw it. It wasn't his fault, she concluded. He wasn't to blame anymore then she was. "You're not responsible, Jonas." She told him, seeing and sensing his surprise, smiling a little. "Daniel was scared too, but he reacted on instinct, instincts that over the last year or so have been so finally turned that he used them without thinking twice about it."
Jonas dropped his head; he didn't want to hear this. He didn't want her to forgive him. "It should have been me."
Getting up, Ceri went round to him. "Jonas," he looked up. "I'm sure you've read SG-1's mission reports, you know what we've been up against in the last year," she shrugged. "Hell since the Stargate program stated. Knowing all that, do you think Daniel wouldn't have done what he had?"
"No."
She put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I had no right to blame you, none of us do."
"Yes you do, if I hadn't frozen but acted, then Daniel Jackson would be alive today with you and your daughter," he said, his eyes blazing with anger and guilt. "I did nothing. I should have been the one who died that day."
"And if you'd failed to shut down the device," Ceri stated calmly. "I would have lost more then just my husband, I would have lost the person I call my dad, as well as Sam and Teal'c." She had sensed her adopted father come into the room, but didn't say anything. "And your people would have lost you."
"She's right, Jonas," Jack acknowledged, he went further in, standing behind Ceri. "Daniel was an big part of our lives for so long we didn't want to think about not having him around." He drew Ceri into his arms, holding her close. "With Thor needing our help so soon after Daniel's death, we didn't get a chance to grieve and you caught the flack from that."
"We'll never forget Daniel, Jonas," she continued, hugging her dad's arms. "And he'll never be fully gone from our lives, not while I'm here and so is Callie. But we can go on," tears slid down her cheeks. "We can grieve and we can remember the good times and the bad times, the laughter and the tears, but we can remember."
"Give us time, Jonas," Jack suggested. "And give yourself time."
He nodded. "All right."
"It will work out," Ceri assured him. "Time heals all wounds." She turned in Jack's arms and hugged him. "For all of us dad."
"For all of us, sweetheart," he agreed.
P2X 374: Two weeks later. (Temporary Rebel Base)
Standing next to Bra'tac, Ceri remained silent, she was an outsider there, her welcome when they had arrived had been less friendly then Teal'c's but she'd remained. Earlier that day when Bra'tac had arrived at the SGC with news Teal'c wife, Drey'auc, dying. Hammond had insisted Teal'c go, Ceri had asked to accompany him and the General had agreed. Drey'acu died just before their arrival, leaving a grieving son to face his father, Rya'c was angry with his father and himself.
Now as they stood with the other Jaffa before the lit funeral pyre, she could sense his grief like a raging river.
Teal'c turned and his eyes locked with his son's, when he saw Rya'c turn and leave he moved to follow.
Bra'tac grabbed his arm. "Let him mourn."
"He has grown to hate me."
"He doesn't Teal'c," Ceri reassured quietly.
"Nor does he truly believe our cause is futile. Drey'auc would not allow it." Bra'tac said strongly.
"Then why does he speak as he does?" Teal'c questioned.
"Self-doubt." Ceri answered.
The Jaffa Master nodded. "Since the day Apophis brainwashed him, he has believed his own mind weak."
"It is not true," the younger Jaffa protested.
"You were no different at his age," Bra'tac stated bluntly. "After the death of your father at the hands of Cronus, fear consumed you and like Rya'c it was desire for vengeance that gave you strength."
"Rya'c misplaces his blame."
"He's directing his malaise towards you because he believes you doubt him as much as he doubts himself," Ceri said keeping her voice calm.
"Why would he believe such thing?" Her friend demanded.
"Because you are his father and you have not told him otherwise." Bra'tac concluded.
Contemplating those words, Teal'c stared back at the burning flames. He gave his son time, and then he went looking for him, he needed to clear the air with Rya'c, now more then ever. He found his son sitting on the stairs leading up to the Stargate. He sat beside him, the boys grief rolled off him in waves, it mixed with his.
He didn't hesitate when he spoke, but he also didn't let the emotion stray from his voice. "Not…not so long ago, I was captured in battle and Apophis took control of my mind. He made me believe that… that I was once again his loyal first prime and I turned on my friends who trusted me," he paused, not looking at his son. He didn't need to, to know Rya'c was listening. "Were it not for Bra'tac and the rite of MalSharran, I would have died…. believing Apophis was my god." He turned to his son. "Whether you believe in me or what I have chosen to do does not changed the fact that I have never doubted your heart, Rya'c. You need never not win back my trust, my son, because you never lost it."
Rya'c wrapped his arms around his father and buried his head in his chest, grieving with him.
Standing in the shadows, Ceri smiled, sensing Bra'tac come up behind her. "They're going to be all right."
"Yes, they are," he agreed. "As are you my young friend."
She nodded. "I've chosen my path, Master Bra'tac and now Teal'c and Rya'c have chosen theirs."
"I believe so," he patted her shoulder. "Come child, lets leave them be."
Ceri smiled at being called child, but then again the Jaffa Master was over a hundred, so to him she was still a child with her twenty-eight years. She followed him back to camp; tonight she would stay with him, Teal'c and Rya'c in their tent, not because they didn't trust the other Jaffa. But because she was a part of Teal'c's family and was being treated as such.
The next morning, the four of them left the tent they'd occupied, Teal'c was now in Jaffa armor, Ceri herself had changed her clothing too, from a distance she would appear Jaffa too. A Goa'uld cargo ship flew overhead; Teal'c and Bra'tac grabbed their staff weapons. Ceri and Rya'c hurried after the two men as the cargo ship prepared to land, a number of Jaffa followed them. Waiting as the ship landed and a Jaffa emerged.
Teal'c knew him. "Shaq'rel." He gripped his arm in a traditional Jaffa greeting.
"Teal'c."
"It's been too long my friend." Teal'c greeted smiling.
"It is fortunate you are here. I brought word to Master Bra'tac so that he may warn you." Shaq'rel explained.
"Of what?"
"The Tau're are in danger, they're under attack from Anubis."
Ceri looked worriedly to her friend, theorizing. "If Anubis was to hold open the Gate, then they wouldn't be dial out." She stated and ran for the Stargate.
They followed her, Shaq'rel at Teal'c's side. "Who is this woman?" He asked.
"Doctor Ceri Jackson, she is a member of the Tau're and SG-1," he explained.
Skidding to a stop near the DHD, Ceri pressed the symbols down that made up Earths address, the Gate didn't open through and she tried it again getting the same result.
"Anubis has a weapon that uses one Stargate to destroy another and if my information is correct then the attack has already begun." Shaq'rel announced.
"We can not warn them." Bra'tac said bluntly, knowing what that meant.
"That's why I brought a ship."
"If the attack has already began, then warning them will do little good." Ceri declared.
"We must find a way to stop it before it is too late." Teal'c stated the obvious.
Shaq'rel stated another obvious. "We do not know the location of this weapon."
"Anubis has grown powerful, but still only defends a handful of planet," Bra'tac revealed. "If one of those Stargates cannot be contacted…."
"It is most likely the origin of the attack." Teal'c said.
"Lets hope it's one of the planets to which I can remember the sequence."
"Of that I can help you with, Master Bra'tac," Ceri told him. "If need be."
"Thank you, Dr. Jackson." He said, bowing his head and then began dialing.
Stargate Command:
Harm and Jack walked back into the conference room, which had been turned into a temporary command center since the Gate had failed to shut down; monitors sat on the table and scientist worked frantically to find a solution. One monitor still showed the amount of time the Gate had been opened.
Sam smiled at her husband as he walked in, she stood with General Hammond, they'd tried sending the X-302 to Abydos to try and contact the Asgard, but an error had aborted the mission. With Sam pregnant, Harm had sat second seat for Jack.
Hammond greeted the two. "Colonel, Commander. I'm glad to see you're okay."
"For the moment sir," Jack remarked.
"They're still analyzing the flight data recorder, but it looks like a 605-3 error." Harm reported, having been briefed after they'd landed.
"Excuse me?"
"It's the one after 605-2, sir," Jack said sarcastically, making the General frown.
"The X-302 couldn't get a lock on it's destination once the window was opened so it auto-aborted," Harm revealed.
"It's one of the inbuilt safety features, sir." Sam added.
Rodney McKay, joined their discussion, he'd been called in by the pentagon to help with the problem, what he was doing was getting under Sam's skin and he knew it. "What went wrong?" He asked.
"The hyperspace window was unstable." Harm told him.
"We thought we'd compensated for the energy fluctuations emitted by the Naquadriah, but apparently not." Sam concluded.
"I don't think you can," Jonas established as he came over to them.
"Apparently, Hammer and I could have been torn… asunder," Jack said, his tone not indicating whether he was being sarcastic or not.
Harm rolled his eyes. "The possibility of that was remote, Jack. More likely were would have just been transported to an unknown location with limited fuel, oxygen and no way of getting back."
"Well heck, that's comforting."
Hammond interrupted the bantering. "Can this problem be resolved?"
"Sir," Sam got his attention. "We don't even understand why the problem exists yet."
"You were lucky," McKay glared at O'Neill and Rabb. "There's not telling how much damage an unstable hyperspace window could of caused."
Sam glared at him, as did Harm.
"So bottom line is, we're on our own," Hammond said trying to defuse the situation.
"Yes sir," Sam answered him.
"I'll go over the data on the X-302 and see if I can pick anything up sir." Harm offered.
"And what can you do, Commander?" McKay asked dryly.
Harm's eyes glowed as Nitara took control. "A hell'va lot more then you probably could, human."
The scientist stepped back, paling. "What the hell?"
Hammond suppressed a smile. "Dr. McKay, meet Command Rabb's symbiote, Nitara."
"Charmed," he said hesitantly.
Nitara ignored him. "General, perhaps with Jonas' help; we maybe able to find a way to compensate for the energy fluctuations."
"Do what you can, Nitara."
"I'm happy to help," Jonas said quickly, silently amused.
With a blink of his eyes, Harm was back in control. He slapped Jonas on the arm. "Lets get to it then."
Nodding the younger man left with the commander.
Jack sniggered at McKay's still pal face. "Nice work there, Doc," he remarked and walked away with his wife.
"You're just lucky it wasn't the commander's wife, doctor," Hammond stated. "Her symbiote wouldn't have been so understanding."
That shook him up a little more. "She's not here?"
"No, Colonel Mackenzie is on Ambrosia with their twins, Dr. Jackson's daughter, her protector and Alyn Merrick, the children's nanny. They were visiting the children's grandfather when this happened."
"The grandfather isn't human?"
"No, he's Tok'ra. Ambrosia is neutral ground," the General declared. "So I suggest doctor, you don't piss the Commander off any more. His wife, children, niece and sister are all off world at the moment."
"I'll take that into advisement, General."
"You do that doctor," he said bluntly and walked away.
Jack took Sam down to her lab, getting her away from the others, who seemed to think she had all the answers. She stood there enclosed in his arms.
"I don't think we're ever going to find an answer to this one, Jack." She whispered.
"We will sweetheart, it'll just take time," he assured her.
"That's what we don't have," she declared.
"Sam," he cupped her face in his hands. "Every thing is going to be all right."
"How can you be so sure?" She asked him.
"Because I have confidence in you," he told her and then lent down and kissed her, gently parting her lips. "I love you, Sam."
"I love you too, Jack." She said, then held tight to him. She was afraid; she wasn't scared to admit that. She finally had everything she could ask for and this had to happen. Maybe she should have gone with Mac, Alyn and the children. "I'm glad we got to tell dad about the baby."
"So am I, he's going to be the best grandfather."
"The best," she said softly.
"Hey," Jack tilted her chin up so she looked him in the eye. "Nothing is going to happen to you or our baby. We'll think of something."
"You don't know that," she said solemnly.
"Neither do you, sweetheart. Have some faith."
She managed a smile and nodded. "As long as we're together."
"I wouldn't have it any other way, darlin," he said. The shrill of the klaxon's going off brought them apart. Jack groaned. "What now."
As they hurried to the Gate room, the base lost power and going onto reserve. In the darken Gate room, just as Jack and Sam rushed in, a hologram of Anubis came through the Gate.
"I am Anubis!"
Sam saw her husband give her a questioning look. "It looks like a hologram projection."
He mouthed 'oh', not really impressed. He'd seen better.
"Humans of the Tau're," the hologram Anubis continued. "Your end of days finally approaches. There will be no mercy."
"Oh come on… Who talks like that," Jack groused.
"This is Asgard technology, sir. He must have downloaded it from Thor." Sam told him, sticking to protocol since they were in the gate room.
"You will bow to my awesome power. There is nothing that can stop the destruction I bring upon you." Anubis' hologram said. "Prepare to meet your doom."
The hologram disappeared.
Jack still wasn't impressed. "Oh please…"
P2X 374:
The dialing sequence on the Gate failed again.
"I have tried to make contact with this world twice now," Bra'tac informed. "It is the only one which I can not make contact."
"Then we must hope that is the location of the weapon." Teal'c announced and started to walk away from the DHD.
Rya'c stopped him. "I'm going with you," he announced. "If the Goa'uld truly can be defeated then I wish to be a part of it," he saw his father going to protest and went on quickly. "You said I could not judge this war if I am yet to fight a battle. You've taught me. Now let me fight."
Teal'c looked from his son to Bra'tac, considering his son's words. Next to Bra'tac, Ceri stood quiet, but Teal'c knew what was in the young woman's eyes, what she was thinking and her thoughts about the situation.
"You said you did not doubt me," Rya'c concluded.
"I do not," his father said strongly.
"Then I will join you," he glanced from his father to the Tallisian. "Dr. Jackson will be joining you and she is not warrior."
"Ceri Jackson may not have the look of a warrior my son, but she has the heart. You would be wise to learn from her," Teal'c said frankly.
"Is it not the right of any young warrior to face his challengers in battle?" Ceri inquired.
"It is." Teal'c declared as he studied his son, glancing quickly at the Jaffa Master.
Bra'tac nodded. "Be quick!" He ordered and walked away with Shaq'rel at his side.
Teal'c looked back to his son. "Very well."
The boy smiled and walked proudly with his father and Ceri as they followed the others. After gathering what they need, they headed for the cargo ship, quickly storing weapons before take off. Leaving the planet they made the jump to hyperspace.
They'd been traveling for some time when Teal'c came into the cargo hold; Rya'c and Ceri were checking grenades and putting them into bags. He smiled as he passed them; going over to Bra'tac, the Jaffa Master was checking Zat guns.
"Is it wise to have brought the girl with us?" Bra'tac asked him quietly.
"Ceri Jackson is a capable warrior, I have trained her myself, as has Colonel O'Neill." Teal'c told him confidently.
"Very well," the older Jaffa opened a bag, taking note of what was inside. He then handed it to Teal'c. "Give this to her. If anything were to happen to the daughter of O'Neill I would not hear the last of it. And it would not be wise for our enemy to realize we have a woman with us too soon." He told him, and then headed out.
Teal'c smiled when he saw what was inside. Turning. "Ceri Jackson."
She patted Rya'c on the shoulder and went over to his father. "Teal'c."
He took the light armor from the bag. "You will wear this," he saw her arch an eyebrow. "It would be best if our enemy did not know a women was in their mist. This will help hide the fact."
She saw the wisdom in that and let him show her how it went on, with the tunic and pants she wore, as well as the boots and leg armor, the chest plate. He drew a tattoo on her forehead, finishing the disguise. Almost. "How is that?" She asked and saw him bow his head in approval.
Rya'c came over to them. "From the front you would past, but from behind," he shrugged. "You still look like a woman."
Teal'c could see that, he gestured for her to turn, she did and he removed his knife, taking hold of her ponytail. "Forgive me Ceri Jackson."
She squeezed her eyes shut for a brief moment realizing what he was about to do and then she opened them. "Just do it, T."
He did, slicing the ponytail off cleanly, keeping it bond by the hair band. He replaced his knife as she turned back, giving her the tail of hair.
She took it. "It's only hair, Teal'c," she remarked and dumped it on one of crates, going out of the cargo hold.
Rya'c was impressed. "I was wrong father, she is stronger then she appears."
"Yes she is, my son," he agreed. "As I said, you would be wise to lean from her, she may appear helpless but she is not."
"Are all Tau're women like her father?"
"Not all but most are, my son."
The ship came out of hyperspace smoothly, cloaking. "We approach the planet." Shaq'rel called out.
They went through to the front of the ship, seeing the planet before them and five ships.
"It is heavily guarded." Bra'tac noted.
"It's a good sigh we have the right planet," Ceri declared.
"And the location of the weapon." Teal'c agreed.
"There are rings on the surface." Shaq'rel reported.
"We must hope to catch any Jaffa on the surface by surprise." Bra'tac announced as he and Ceri prepared to head down to the surface.
Teal'c drew his son to one side away from the others. "You are to remain on board with Shaq'rel, my son."
"Why?" He asked, confused since the archaeologist was going with them.
"One day you will be a great warrior, this day the danger is too great," his father told him.
Rya'c stood fast. "I am prepared to die."
Teal'c smiled and caressed the side of his son's face. "But I am not prepared for you to die."
The ship shuddered violently as a large explosion rocked it. "Death gliders," Shaq'rel informed.
"I thought we were cloaked." Ceri remarked.
"Anubis must now have a way to detect cloaked ships." Bra'tac stated.
"I'm de-cloaking and diverting power to the shields." Shaq'rel told them as he did it. The gliders chasing them hit the ship again. "Entering range of the service rings."
Ceri and Bra'tac were already in position. "Teal'c?" She called out to him.
"Is it not equally dangerous on this ship as it will be on the planet?" Rya'c asked his father.
Shaq'rel fought to stay one step ahead of the gliders. "Go! I will do my best to return for you."
Teal'c knew he didn't have time to debate the issue with his son. "Come, stay close to me. The forces on the ground may have been alerted to our presence." He ushered his son into position, taking the staff weapon Bra'tac handed him as Rya'c drew his zat gun. They stood back-to-back, ready to flight. Teal'c glanced quickly to his left where Ceri stood, Zat drawn. "Stay close as well, Ceri Jackson."
"I will," she promised.
"Chel'Nok." Shaq'rel bided and activated the transport rings, sending them down to the planet.
They arrived prepared to fight, surrounded by Jaffa. One called out. "Identify yourselves!"
Bra'tac answered by throwing a grenade at the approaching Jaffa and the battle began, the four of them moved in sink, taking out as many Jaffa as they could without being hit themselves. Or they tried to, Ceri saw Rya'c go down, hit in the shoulder by a staff blast. She rushed to him as Teal'c upended the Jaffa and shot him, taking hold of Rya'c she helped him to his feet. With no Jaffa left to try and stop them, Teal'c rushed to give her a hand.
Bra'tac was impressed by the young woman and his friend's son, but now wasn't the time for praise. "We must move," he ordered.
With Rya'c between them, Ceri and Teal'c followed the Jaffa Master.
Stargate Command:
Jack rushed into the infirmary following the gurney carrying Sam; his wife had been hit by electrical feedback as she closed the iris when McKay's crazy idea failed to work. When he got his hands on that little weasel he'd kill him. Harm had been there when it happened and gotten between Jack and McKay, now as they came into the infirmary, the Commander grabbed his friend as Sam was rushed further into the infirmary.
"Jack, let them do what they have to," he insisted. "Sam is going to be all right."
"You don't know that." Jack snarled.
He sighed. "Jack," he tried to calm him down a little. "The baby is fine and so is Sam," he reassured. "I sensed that when I knelt down next to Sam while we were waiting for help."
"The baby's fine," Jack said a little calmer.
Harm nodded. "Sam just got a shock, but she's going to be fine and so is your son."
"My son?"
"Your son, Jack," the Commander said grinning. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." He grinned and then asked. "You're sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Janet came out to them. "Colonel, Commander."
"Doc, I'm going to have a son," Jack blurted.
She smiled and saw Harm grinning, knowing who had told. "That's great Colonel. Sam and the baby are fine; Sam has a burn on her hand that'll heal. You can go see her."
"Thanks doc," he said and hurried the way she came.
Janet looked to Harm. "Are you sure the baby is a boy?"
He nodded. "Both Nitara and I are."
"Well, I hope you're right Commander, because you just made the Colonel a very happy man." Janet remarked.
Harm grinned his famous 'flyboy' grin. "Trust me doc."
She chuckled and walked away muttering. "Men."
Unknown planet: Location of the weapon control by Anubis.
Bra'tac crouched low as a number of Jaffa walked past where he was hidden, when he could neither hear or see them he made his way back to where he'd left Teal'c, Rya'c and Ceri. "The path is well traveled. We will have to stay undercover," he reported. "And there are many gliders patrolling the skies."
Ceri finished doctoring Rya'c wound using the medical kit she'd brought with her. "That's the best I can do."
"Thank you Dr. Jackson," he said and she smiled warmly at him.
"This wound is not small," Teal'c noted, pleased at his son's bravery. "You must be in great pain."
"Nothing I can not bear," his son said, he would not show his father just how much it did hurt.
"You could easily be dead." Teal'c remarked bluntly.
Rya'c frowned. "I do not understand, there was at least eight of them…"
"Ten." Bra'tac corrected.
"How is it the three of you did not get hit?" The teenager asked.
"It is more difficult to hit a moving target," Ceri informed. "I learnt that in flight school."
"It is also helpful to be lucky," Bra'tac told him.
Ceri chuckled, grinning. "I learnt that in flight school too," she mused and they laughed with her.
Teal'c glanced upward as another glider passed overhead. "There is little time to waste."
"Lets us move then." Bra'tac ordered.
Rya'c walked next to Ceri, letting his father and Bra'tac take point. He kept his voice low. "This flight school, this is where you learnt to fly?"
"Yes, I was a combat pilot for my planets defense force," she answered. "Though because of who I was, I saw limited action." She saw the teenager frown, explaining. "On my planet I was second in line to the throne, so my father made sure I saw more action academically then anything else."
"But father said you were the daughter of O'Neill."
She nodded. "Adopted. When my father agreed to my going to Earth, he made Jack my surrogate father. After my planet was destroyed by the Goa'uld, the cover story that was given was I was Jack's adopted daughter, because I used his surname, no one questioned it."
Rya'c could see his father was right about her. "My father cares for you."
"He is a good friend," Ceri said. "When my husband died, your father was there for me. Which was why when I heard about your mother, I was determined to be there for him." She glanced ahead and then at the teenager, seeing Rya'c was a lot like his father. "Your father has given up so much for this cause, Rya'c. He keeps to himself a lot on Earth, but he's never forgotten you or your mother."
"I know," he agreed and they hurried to catch up.
They moved through the undergrowth unseen, avoiding Jaffa patrols. As they reached an advantage point over looking the weapon, a glider flew overhead, making them hanker down. Once it was gone they took a good look, lying on their belly's to stay low. The weapon was in a large opening, circled by large edifices, which were linked by a blue pulsing beam. In the center the weapon was shooting an energy beam towards the open Stargate.
"This weapon is unlike any Goa'uld design I have seen." Bra'tac announced.
"It's not Goa'uld, it was built by the Ancients." Ceri informed.
"I agree. I've seen similar contraction before." Teal'c stated.
"Who are they?" Rya'c asked. "The Ancients?"
"And advanced race of beings who, long ago, created the Stargates."
"But I thought the…"
"The Goa'uld steal technology and claim it as his own," his father said bluntly.
"If this is not Goa'uld technology and Anubis has merely leaned to operate it, then…" Bra'tac let his voice fade.
"Then by destroying it, he wouldn't be able to rebuilt so quickly." Ceri finished.
"But do we have sufficient explosives?" Rya'c asked.
"That does not concern you," Teal'c announced. "You will be staying here."
"You're father is right Rya'c, injured you'll slow us down," Ceri stated.
"You will remain behind with him." Bra'tac said bluntly.
"I will not," she contradicted. "Neither of you can read Ancient, how do you propose to shut off the weapon?"
"As said, that is not your concern," the Jaffa Master said firmly. "You will remain behind with Rya'c."
"Remain here until sundown. We will try and return before then." Teal'c told them both and then he and Bra'tac moved off.
Ceri wasn't going to be left behind. She waited twenty minutes, then announced. "Lets go."
"Where? My father said to wait here." Rya'c said quickly.
"Then you wait, I'm going to do something."
Groaning, Rya'c hurried after her. They stayed in the undergrowth, edging towards the weapon. Arriving just as Teal'c and Bra'tac were captured by Jaffa loyal to Anubis. "We have to help," he hissed.
"No, we wait," she held him down. "You father and Bra'tac won't talk and this could be our only way of destroying the weapon."
They remained out of sight as Teal'c and Bra'tac were matched away.
"Now what?" Rya'c asked her.
She looked skyward as a glider flew overhead, looking back. "Can you fly a glider?"
He nodded, catching on. "We could fly in and destroy the weapon from the air."
"It's a plan. Lets go."
Moving silently, they arrived at the ground base on nightfall, watching a glider land, close by.
"That one," Rya'c told her and they made it into camp, running over to the now empty death glider. Climbing up he opened the canopy and watched as Ceri got into the back seat. "You're letting me fly?"
"You said you could," she remarked.
He grinned and got in, closing the canopy he did a quick pre-flight and then started the engines; no one even questioned their taking off.
"All right, if your father and Bra'tac refuse to talk they'll take them to the mother ship, so lets follow the path to the rings." Ceri suggested.
Rya'c nodded and turned the glider that way, keeping low. "There," he pointed out quickly. Below a division of Jaffa was escorting two prisoners.
"That's them," she agreed. Teal'c, Bra'tac, be ready, she sent to them. "Now Rya'c."
He fired into the Jaffa, being careful to hit only them, then pulled the craft up. "They're clear."
"Lets get that weapon then." Ceri proposed.
He turned the glider back and took them towards the weapon, doing a low past first. On the next one he fired on the weapon, hitting it. The weapon exploded and the gate closed down. "Yes."
"Nice work," she praised. "One more pass. Lets make sure Anubis wouldn't be able to rebuild." She then took notice of the scoop. "And watch the two gliders on our six."
"Our what?"
"Backside."
"Oh," he brought the glider round for another pass and let go anther volley, the ground around the damaged weapon began to crumble and it sank into the ground. They took a couple of hits before he took out the two gliders pursuing them.
"Nice," Ceri said, breathing deeply. "Very nice."
Rya'c grinned and found a place to land the glider. "We should leave it."
"Okay," she agreed and followed him out of it. Hearing another glider above, she grabbed Rya'c and pulled him with her into the undergrowth. Their glider was taken out in a spectacular fireball.
"Rya'c!"
They both looked seeing Teal'c and Bra'tac running towards them. He stood; rushing to met his father half way. "Father."
Teal'c hugged his son, relieved to see him all right.
Ceri came over to them. "Your son is an amazing pilot, Teal'c," she praised, then addressed the Jaffa Master. "You've taught him well, Master Bra'tac."
"He is a good student." Bra'tac commended smiling. Then frowned. "And did we not tell you to remain where you were? Huh?"
She nodded. "We saw an opportunity and used it," she said innocently.
"You could have been killed."
"But we weren't," she noted.
Teal'c ruffled his son's hair. "I would not argue with her, Master Bra'tac."
"I am being to think you are right, my friend."
Ceri smiled. "Lets go home."
"That. Is a good idea," the Jaffa Master agreed.
Stargate Command:
Harm drew his wife into his arms as soon as she put the twin's carriers down, kissing her right there in the middle of them embarkation room. He didn't care. If the Gate had not have closed down when it had, they had been prepared to winch it out of the mountain and try and fly it off Earth attached to the X-302. As soon as the Gate had closed down, Sam had dialed the Alpha sight. When they were sure another attack wasn't coming, they'd dialed Ambrosia, bringing home Mac, Alyn, the children and Pharaoh.
Jack and Sam came into the room, their granddaughter running over to him, saying something that sounded almost like 'poppa'. He laughed and picked Callie up, hugging her tight. "Hi angel."
"Any word from Ceri?" Alyn inquired.
"Not as yet," Sam answered.
Mac had turned in her husband's arms. "Do you know if they're still at the rebel base?"
"We're hopping they are."
Taking a carrier each, Mac and Harm followed everyone out of the embarkation room. "Do you think Ceri and Teal'c could have been behind the Gate closing down?" She asked.
"It's possible," her husband agreed. "They could have somehow found out where the weapon was and gone there by ship and destroyed it."
Lt. Simmons rushed over to them. "Sir's, Ma'am. We're receiving a radio transmission."
Harm took Callie from Jack. "Go, keep us informed."
"We will," he assured and along with Sam hurried to the Control room with the Lieutenant following. Hammond was also there.
Sgt. Harriman spoke into the microphone. "Go ahead. They're all here."
Teal'c voice came over the radio. "General Hammond…"
Sam and Jack spoke at the same time. "Teal'c!"
"It is good to hear you are well," the Jaffa said happily. "The weapon used by Anubis has been destroyed. We feared it was too late for the Tau're though."
"It was close there for a moment. Did you and Ceri have anything to do with that?" Jack asked him. "I take it she's with you."
"I'm here dad," her voice came over the radio. "We're approaching in a cargo ship. Request permission to land."
"NORAD's aware of their approach, sir." Harriman informed the General.
"Permission granted," Hammond said cheerfully. "Welcome back!"
"Good job guys." Jack commended.
"It is in fact Rya'c who deserves the honor," Teal'c praised his son.
"We'll talk more when you arrive," the General revealed. "Stargate Command out."
Sam hugged her husband. "They're on they're way home," she said excitedly. Then regained her composure, seeing the General smile. "Sorry sir."
"Quiet all right Major," he assured. "You'd better go and tell Commander Rabb and Colonel Mackenzie."
"Yes sir," they both said, and then hurried out, going straight to day care, where they knew the Commander and Colonel were. Telling them what was happening.
Callie grinned at the excitement; she looked curiously at her grandfather. "Ma?"
"She's on her way sweetie," he informed and kissed her forehead.
She snuggled into the crock of his shoulder, content to stay there, until her mom arrived.
Sam put her arm around her husband, snuggling up to them both. Keeping her voice low. "You still have to give the General an answer, Jack."
"I know," he said flatly.
"About what?" Mac asked curiously.
"Sam's replacement," he answered. "Colonel Checkov wants a Russian onboard SG-1."
"And."
"And I told him over my rotting corpse," Jack said causally. "The General told me to find someone else or accept the Russian officer."
There was a knock and Jonas walked into the day care. "I heard Dr. Jackson and Teal'c were on their way."
"They'll be here soon," Sam agreed. "Thanks for all your help Jonas."
He smiled shyly. "I did what I could."
"You impressed, Nitara." Harm told him.
"You accomplished a lot then, Jonas," Mac teased. "Nitara is hard to impress."
"Thank you Colonel."
Sam looked to her husband; he seemed to know what she was thinking. He'd talk to the General about it, after Ceri and Teal'c were back.
Of course as soon as they arrived on base, Dr. Frasier got to them first, making sure they were all fine, Shaq'rel and Bra'tac had only dropped off Teal'c, Ceri and Rya'c, heading back to the Rebel base. Once the three were cleared, they were welcomed back.
Callie hugged her mother, not at all frightened by her appearance. Jack stood at her side; he ran his hand over her head.
Ceri just smiled. "It's only hair, dad."
"And it's not that bad," Sam told her.
She rolled her eyes. "Teal'c is a fine warrior but he is no hair dresser," she mussed. "I'll get a hair cut this afternoon."
They laughed.
Jack looked to Rya'c. "I hear you're a pretty good pilot."
"Master Bra'tac taught me well. I hope to be as good as my father one day," he said a little embarrassed.
"Just know that no one is that good," the Colonel advised.
"It also pays to be lucky," the teenager noted.
"Don't I know that," Jack remarked. "So do you want to stick around a few days, hang out a little?"
Teal'c put his arm around his son's shoulders, proudly. "Rya'c has chosen to help Bra'tac spread the word of our cause."
"So that's an no?" Jack asked.
"I need to return, Colonel O'Neill." Rya'c declared.
"Maybe next time," he offered and shook the teenagers hand.
"I would be honored," Rya'c then looked to Ceri. "Thank you."
"You did it all, Rya'c," she assured. "I was just along for the ride."
"Thank you anyway."
"I'll escort you to the Gate room, my son," Teal'c offered and they left together.
Jack knew he had somewhere to be too. "On that note I have a meeting with the General."
"About what?" Ceri asked.
"Sam's replacement."
She sensed whom he was considering. "Are you sure?"
Jack nodded. "Are you all right with it?"
"Yeah dad."
"Then I'm off to make the General's day."
"Be nice Jack," Sam ordered gently.
"Yes dear," he said and hurried out.
Ceri kissed her daughters forehead. "Well sweetie, mommy needs a shower."
"You're not going to parade around in the outfit some more, kiddo?" Harm asked her.
She frowned at her brother. "No, but I can lend it to Mac, if you'd like," she teased.
"Oh very funny."
"I thought so," she remarked, and walked out, carrying her daughter, Pharaoh padding along beside her.
Jack had gone straight to the General's office, knocking on the door. "Do you have a moment sir?"
"Sure Colonel, come on in," Hammond insisted. "Take a seat." The colonel did so. "What can I do for you, Jack?"
"It's about SG-1 sir," he revealed. "I've chosen Sam's replacement."
Hammond sat back in his chair. "I take it, it isn't a Russian officer."
"No sir, it's not," he replied. "Sir, surely the Russian's would be satisfied with their own team."
"I believe they'll have to be, Colonel," the General declared. "Who is your new team member?"
"Jonas Quinn, sir."
That surprised Hammond. "Are you sure about this, Jack?"
"Yes sir, he helped both Sam and Harm during the crisis with the Gate. He'll be able to do the job," Jack answered. "I'd like to request Ceri be given the job of 2IC though, General."
The General nodded. "I believe that's possible."
"Thank you sir."
"Very well then, Colonel. Have SG-1 ready to go at oh eight hundred tomorrow morning."
"I will sir," he stood. Hesitating he remarked. "I found out long ago sir, everyone deserves a second chance."
Hammond was proud. "Yes Colonel they do. Dismissed."
"Yes sir," he said, and then strolled out.
At oh eight hundred the next morning, the General stood by the ramp with Major Carter-O'Neill. The rest of SG-1 was waiting to go, standing on the ramp the Gate open behind them; all were dressed in green fatigues.
Jonas jogged in excitedly, also wearing green fatigues, but a helmet instead of a cap. He greeted them all happily. "So how do I look?"
Jack hid a smirk, as did Ceri and Teal'c.
"You might want to lose the helmet," Sam advised, despite seeing her husband frown.
"Right," Jonas said and took it off, letting her take it from him. He took the cap from his back pocket and put it on instead. Seeking her approval.
"Better," she mused.
"Good guess on the green." Jack remarked.
"Thanks," he said, not letting on that Ceri had rang and told him what to wear.
Hammond smiled at the bantering; he could see his flag team was going to be all right. "SG-1, you have a go."
"Thank you sir," Jack said with his usual good humor. Then addressed his team. "Lets go kids."
Walking together, they went up the ramp and through the Gate.
Sam sighed as the Gate shut down, she hated being left behind, but Janet had advised her to cut down on Gate travel.
"It gets easier, Major." Hammond said gently.
"I'm sure it does sir," she agreed.
To be continued…. (Please excuse the mistakes in this one, my beta usually reads a printed out copy of the chapter, leaving behind red corrections, however I only having received my new printer in time for my beta to read only three quarters. I still got a few red corrections but not many. She liked this one and wants to read the ending. So once again if there are mistakes, my apologies. A.S)
