The Guardian Angel

by Cesar A

Thirty years ago the son of General Hammond disappeared. Thirty years later Michael Hammond reappears from the shadows. Can the Hammonds survive the reunion. Third story in series

2. The Guardian Angel Part 2

Chapter 11: Telling the Truth can break your heart

Jed Bartlet stared out the giant picturesque windows of the oval office. Snow fell heavily to the ground making it seem magical to his poetic nature. Of course he knew the practical realities of such a snowfall, there would be the normal crises that would certainly be arising soon. The very real problems of Washington D.C. coming to a grinding halt as no one would be able to go to work in the morning. Schools would be closed, and those parents who could make it into work will certainly want to remain home and care for their young. Still for the moment, this one peaceful moment, the President of the United States could relax and pretend that he was not the President, that those crises would not be his responsibility to handle. For the moment President Josiah Bartlet could pretend that all was right in the world, and that indeed it was a magical night.

Abigail Bartlet let herself into the oval office and stared at her husband. Being a doctor, Abigail could see that her husband was suffering from exhaustion. She knew that Jed had not been sleeping well at all lately, not well at all. If he was lucky, Jed managed about three hours of sleep a night, if he was lucky and he hadn't been all that lucky lately. Her husband's diet was way off as well, eating heavy greasy meals, when someone reminded him that it was time to eat. Abigail had seen it coming for over a month now. Since the news reports of the Guardian Angels came out, Josiah Bartlet had been under siege by the press, by the congress and senate, and by about every country on the planet. All of whom were wondering if any of the deaths of their citizens were the fault of this mysterious team of agents.

Without turning from the window, Josiah Bartlet spoke to his wife.

"You know, I had so many questions that I wanted to ask him." he said softly

Abby sat down at the edge of a seat "I know." was all she could say

"So many questions." Bartlet repeated shaking his head "Questions like, how did you survive for so long? Just what is it that you have done for God and Country? What exactly was done to you, and to the others?" Josiah shook his head "So many questions."

"It wasn't your fault Jed." Abby began as she came around his desk and put her arms around her grieving husband "It all began thirty years ago, you were starting your political career then. Neither Ellie nor Zoe had been born yet, and Elizabeth was just a baby."

"You do realize that Elizabeth is 33 years old don't you." Jed pointed out "In 1974 if I had been in the military they might have taken our baby." Taking comfort in his wife's arms "It could have been us that had lost a child. It could have been Elizabeth that was taught to live like them." Josiah shivered at the very thought of his child being taken from him, to be taught how to kill and to maim.

"99 of them are dead Abby." Josiah continued "Only one of the original hundred is still alive, only one person who remembers what it was like to live that way. Only one person who knew those other 99 children."

"I know." Abby was at a loss as to what to say to make her husband's pain go away.

"You know he called them his brothers and sisters." Looking over his shoulder he looked at his wife "Did I tell you that?"

Abby settled down by her husband and just listened "No you didn't

"Yes" Josiah continued "His brothers and sisters, and we did nothing to help them. To save them and to let them live the lives that they deserved to live. To grow up knowing that their mothers and their fathers loved them. To go to school with their peers, to learn and to grow safe in the knowledge that they would be protected by their government as much as possible. You know I was just speaking to Michael Hammond's therapist, you remember Stanley Keyworth." Abby nodded as Jed continued "He told me that a part of Michael's problem is that he feels that we stole that right from him. The right to become whatever he wanted to become, for good or ill, we stole that right from him the very right which is granted to every citizen of this country. Michael's right about that as well, we did steal that right from him."

Abby looked up sharply "You have been in touch with his therapist?" She asked incredulously "That is supposed to be privileged information, that is supposed to be between them. Jed that is not something that you should know, that is not something that his therapist should be sharing with you or with anyone else!"

Jed Bartlet nodded his head still staring at the falling snow, wishing now more than ever that he was not the president.

"I know that I shouldn't know. However, there are things still going on that make it necessary for us to keep a close eye on Michael Hammond. Make sure that he is being completely honest with us at all times. I wish it wasn't necessary, believe me I don't want to know this man's pain. I don't want to know his inner most secrets and his dreams, but right now it is necessary."

Abby stared at her husband wondering exactly what the thoughts were that were running through his head.

"What is it that you are not telling me, Jed?" She asked wanting to know the truth.

"Three things actually Abby, three things that are not allowing me to sleep at night." Jed admitted

"Tell me Jed, don't keep it bottled inside you. Please don't let it be like the last time." Abby begged.

Josiah remembered those hard days not so long ago, when he'd been forced to order the assassination of another world leader. Well the man had been no better than a terrorist, so Josiah had given the go-ahead order to have the man killed. The knowledge of which had tortured him for months afterwards, and the repercussions of which were etched into his mind now and forever. When Abby had learned the truth, it had been a hard blow to them both.

"You're right of course." Turning away from the window Jed Bartlet looked at his wife "When Control first came to us he had two files. The first file was called 'Fundraiser', he explained that a fundraiser usually means an illegal operation that is conducted to raise their appropriations for the coming year. So, say a bomb goes off and kills a bunch of innocent Americans. Sanctuary would then say that they didn't have enough money to conduct operations, so that congress would have no choice but to raise their appropriations to ensure that it would never happen again."

"Jesus" Abby whispered "To think that they would kill innocent people just to raise their appropriations. Thank God that you stopped that!"

Jed shook his head uncertain "But, did I stop them?" he asked his wife "Along with that file were the schematics of Norton nuclear facility. Sanctuary had the schematics before the break in. This makes me wonder if it wasn't Sanctuary field agents that conducted that raid. Also according to Josh, a whole group of agents are still missing. Agents whom, according to Control, are completely loyal to Puppet Master. Norton is so far being very coy about giving us cooperation about what exactly is missing from the robbery."

Abby nodded soberly knowing that she'd wouldn't be sleeping well either from now on.

"What was the other file?" She asked knowing that whatever it was, was the real reason her husband was depressed.

"Nobody but Leo, Josh, Will, Toby and C.J. knows this, and it has to stay that way Abby." Jed warned her.

"Of course Jed." Abby answered instantly

"During my first year in office…" Jed paused for a moment, then took a deep breath "During my first year in office, 100 children aged three were kidnapped from military families."

Abby gasped, putting her hand to her mouth.

Jed nodded at her realization "Yes Abby, Puppet Master is trying to create the next generation of Guardian Angels. Only this time, they are going to obey nobody but her."

Michael took a deep breath as he heard the elevator door begin to come up. Nervously he rubbed his hands together, knowing that he was most likely signing his own death warrant for any hope of a relationship with Jenny Barnes. For most of the day he had sat up here staring at his easel, wondering what he should do now. Should he dump Jenny, just throw her out and never see her again? No, Michael couldn't do that to her, nor could he live with himself if he did just throw her out. Letting the cop tell her wasn't an option either, all he could tell her was that Michael had killed a bunch of men. The cop couldn't tell her why Michael had to kill them. The cop couldn't possibly understand, he'd never had to live that kind of life make those kinds of decisions. In the end Michael had decided that Monica had been right after all. It was best that it came from him. Michael also knew that it wouldn't be easy to tell her though. How do you tell anyone what kind of person you really are, how do you explain that you had to kill some to save others. All afternoon Michael had gone through the conversation in his mind over and over again, and each time it ended with Jenny hating him and leaving him broken hearted.

"Damn you Jenny Barnes." Michael cursed to himself "Why did I have to fall for you. Why couldn't you be like the others, just a one night stand. Get what I want and then just say goodbye, why did you have to be different?"

Michael rubbed his tired eyes, he had lied to the headshrinker the other day. Michael hadn't been sleeping well, but then again, when was the last time that he had a dreamless sleep. Michael thought for a moment, well not for over ten years at least. It was worse now than it had ever been in the past. Now all Michael had to do was close his eyes for a moment, then the faces would appear before him. Faces from his past, the ones that he hadn't been able to save, the ones that had to be sacrificed so that greater numbers could be saved later. Sometimes it felt as if he would drown in a sea of those faces, all of them asking the same question over and over again.

"Why weren't you good enough to save us all!" The faces would scream at him "Why did you let me die?" His only respite was when he was with Jenny. Only then would the ghosts leave him alone and let him be at peace.

Jenny got out of the elevator and closed the grill door behind her. Spotting Michael sitting on the couch Jenny immediately realized that Michael was in one of his dark moods again.

"Well" Jenny thought brightly "I'll get him over that quick enough."

Jenny sat down on the couch next to Michael determined to cheer him up.

"Michael, how was your day?" she asked

Michael smiled grimly "Well I've had better. Jenny someone came to see me today…" he began

Whatever it was, or whoever it was, it was obvious to Jenny that the conversation had not gone well at all.

"Yeah…" Jenny tried to prod him as Michael floundered

"Well this person said that he didn't want me seeing you anymore."

"What?" Jenny was now thoroughly confused "Who was it?" she demanded to know

Michael shook his head "That doesn't matter right now. What is important is that this person wants to tell you the truth about me. Well at least what they know about it." Looking up Michael saw that Jenny was now extremely nervous.

Jenny hugged herself, "I don't want to know." She told him flatly "What ever it was, is over with, I'm not interested in the past. The only things that interest me are today and tomorrow. Yesterday is buried and gone." Jenny was now frightened, all the little things were starting to come together and they were not painting a pretty picture in her mind.

Taking a deep breath Michael continued "I think it would be best if you heard it from me and not from someone else."

Jenny looked up pleadingly "Please Michael, I don't want to know."

Michael rubbed his tired eyes again, "Believe me Jenny, I am not looking forward to telling you this. Still, someone is going to let you know about it sooner or later. I'd rather you heard it from me."

Grudgingly, Jenny nodded and settled back into her seat, Michael took that to mean that he should continue.

"I told you that I worked for the government." Michael began nervously

"Yes" Jenny agreed "You told me you were some kind of trouble shooter."

"Yes I was a trouble shooter." Michael agreed

Frustrated Jenny lost her patience "So you were some sort of computer analyst, so what."

Michael shook his head "No Jenny, I was a trouble shooter. I was sent to different places around the world to find the trouble, then I shot it." Michael told her bluntly

Jenny was rocked back, her mouth opened and closed several times "Ah…You…I mean…what do you mean you shot it?" Jenny's world was now spinning and careening wildly out of control.

Michael stood up and went to the giant window that overlooked the empty cold streets, for a moment it felt like Michael's heart, just as cold and empty and without life. Michael could not look directly at Jenny, not now, and probably not ever again. Not for the first time in his life, Michael felt dirty, and that he didn't deserve someone like Jenny. Not after all that he'd done in his life. Jenny was meant for a good man, and not a man like him. Still that didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

"People, Jenny." He told her "I searched out people who were enemies of our country, our way of life. People who threatened our citizens abroad, and then I dealt with them. Permanently."

Jenny slowly stood up staring at Michael's back, tears in her eyes and her bottom lip quivering.

"Y…y…you k…illed them?"

With a very heavy heart, Michael stared out into the darkness, "Yes Jenny, I killed them."

Jenny felt her heart in her throat, no words seemed to want to come out and a fist was gripping her heart tightly, her whole world was in chaos and most definitely out of control. How could this man, this kind, wonderful and generous man be a killer! No…no there was something wrong in the universe. Things like this just don't happen! "Air" Jenny thought quickly "I need air!" Quickly Jenny grabbed her coat off the couch and began to put it on, she headed back to the elevator. The only thing running through her mind was…

"I have to go Michael." she told him and she saw him nodding into the darkness as if having expected this to happen, "I have to think Michael… I can't think right now, I need air… I have to think…" Jenny was rambling now.

Resigned to the fact that he would never hear from Jenny again, Michael stared out into the night.

"I understand Jenny, you just take whatever time that you need. I won't bother you, or try and force anything on you. You know where to find me." he said, knowing that she never would call, or ever come back.

"Yes I know." Jenny opened the elevator door and got in "I promise that I'll call you, please understand Michael, this is just too much to take in right now. We'll talk later."

Michael heard the elevator door crash shut, then make it's way downstairs. Michael continued to stare out the window, staring at the way the shadows fell on the street. And for the first time since he'd left Sanctuary, Michael wished that he could hide amongst the shadows once again, just hide from the world that didn't want him to be a part of it.

"You are not to go back to that store! Do you understand me!" Janet told Cassie once again in no uncertain terms.

Cassie shook her head angrily "But why not mom?" She asked confused at her mother's reaction to her after school job "It's a good job, it pays well and Michael is a really nice guy, so are Monica and Andrew."

Janet rubbed her temples her headache increasing in strength, "I can't tell you that honey." Janet told her calmly "Just realize that I am doing what is best for you, and your father agrees with me about this subject."

Cassie sat down on her bed and tucked her feet underneath her.

"Is it something to do with Michael?" She asked "Is there some reason that you don't like him? I mean Jake was at the store today, he talked to Michael and afterwards, Michael seemed so distant, so sad."

Janet sat down on the edge of Cassie's bed and wrapped her arms around her daughter and just held her tightly.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt. If anything were to ever happen to you, I don't know what I would do."

Cassie didn't fully understand, but she also didn't want her mother worrying about her either.

"Okay mom, I'll give a weeks notice and then quit."

Janet smiled and kissed Cassie's fore head "That will be fine. You can get another job, I'll even help." Janet promised

"Okay mom." Cassie looked around "I guess dad isn't home yet is he."

Yet another reason for Janet's headache.

"No honey, with General Hammond on extended leave, your father is having to work over time to try and keep everything together at the base. It's especially rough right now because Admiral Fitzwallace is coming to inspect the base in the next couple of days."

"Who's that?"

Janet chuckled "Your father's worst nightmare. Well actually Admiral Fitzwallace is in charge of the Joint Chiefs of the armed forces. The Admiral is the really big boss! Your dad is running around like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to get ready for the inspection."

"Is there that much to do? Dad's been home late every night for the last three weeks!"

Janet laughed as she held up a hand "According to your father, 'It's those damn civilian scientists! They have absolutely no idea what this inspection means to us in the military! I have had to have Daniel standing by my side so that he can translate simple English into nutty professor language!"

Both women began to laugh.

Jack signed his name for what felt like the ten millionth time that day. Closing the file he put it into the out tray and sighed in relief as he now saw that his in box was empty for the first time in weeks. Standing up Jack stretched out his back and was amazed at how exhausted he really was. He had never realized what it was that General Hammond did on base, the exhausting reams and reams of paperwork that it took to keep the mountain in perfect running order. This new understanding led to a new found and even greater respect for George Hammond than Jack already had for the General. After three weeks Jack was ready to yank out each and every hair in his head, and the General made it all look so easy. Especially dealing with the scientists! Jack had never met a bunch of more brilliant, educated and more nerdy group of people in his life. Jack had thought that Daniel was a geek when they had first met, hell Daniel was Rambo all those years ago compared to these dweebs! Still even that was okay now. Everything was ready for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the decks were spotless, all the inventories were checked and double, even triple checked. All paperwork was spotless as well and completely up to date. The military side of the operation was immaculate, and even the scientific side of things were damn near it. Jack had put Daniel in charge of that side of things, yep, best to have a scientist deal with the other scientists. Daniel even rose to the task beyond all expectations. Every piece of scientific equipment was accounted for and stored perfectly when not in use, unlike having everything just lying around as was prone to be the case. Daniel realized what a hard time Jack had been having since the general took his leave of absence and took it upon himself to make sure that the scientists didn't let Jack down on his big day. Jack looked at his calendar and noted the date.

"Two more days." he mumbled getting up, Jack turned out the lights and decided to call it a day. It was the first time in weeks that Jack O'Neill had left the office before midnight.

"I'm hungry Daniel." Sam smiled as the couple sat in front of their television watching a movie.

"What will it be then my dear?" Daniel asked getting ready to get up

Smiling even wider "Is there any of those chocolate brownies left that Mama brought over the other day?" She asked remembering the deep rich and thick chocolate brownies, that she and Daniel had named "Delicious Death", because the moment you bite into one, you die and go straight to heaven.

"Yes there happens to be some left." Daniel went into the kitchen "Would you like some milk with that as well my lady?"

"Yes thank you." Sam called out

Daniel set down the plate with a couple of thick delicious brownies and a tall glass of milk by Sam and sat back down.

"Your delicious death, my lady."

"So" Sam began as she bit into the brownie and was now in chocolate heaven "How are things shaping up for the inspection?"

"Good" Daniel admitted "Jack really has the place humming now. It took him a couple of weeks to get a handle on things, but things are going great."

"Were you able to help him with his civilian problems?"

"Yeah" Daniel blushed "I'm not very popular with the other scientists right now. They say that I've gone military with my unreasonable demands." he admitted to Sam

Sam's brow furrowed "What demands did you place on them?" she asked curiously, knowing that Daniel was considered the most lenient department head at the SGC. As long as you did your job and worked hard. Daniel rarely had complaints.

"Oh, things like they put their equipment away if they are not using it. To clean their work stations, throw away any garbage that they may have laying around. They were so shocked at my demands that they threatened a walk out!"

Sam laughed picturing Daniel giving those orders, when Daniel was almost always as guilty of that very same behavior as the others. So was she, when she came to think about it. At times their office looked like a bomb had hit it and left it demolished.

"So what did you do?"

Daniel smiled "I sent in my two labor representatives to meet with the grievance committee, they straightened out the situation in about ten minutes."

"Who did you send?" Sam asked between bites

Daniel smiled with an evil glint in his eye, "Gabe and Annie, I don't know what they told the others exactly. But the grievance committee literally ran out of the meeting room and back to their offices and began to put up their stations." Daniel laughed "They haven't complained since."

Sam laughed as well picturing Gabe and Annie laying down the law to the others. Gabe's idea of subtlety being what it was, Sam was pretty sure that not so veiled threats were issued.

"So tomorrow is the big day huh…" Sam pointed out

Daniel frowned "Sam, I still don't like the idea of you coming to work tomorrow. You are on maternity leave after all."

Sam patted her husband's hand "Don't worry Daniel, it will only be for a few hours while the Admiral is there. I'm not going to be doing any actual work."

"Did admiral Fitzwallace give any reason that you had to be there. I'm sure that if we told him…"

"Relax baby." Sam smiled, Daniel was so adorable when he was trying to protect her "Three more weeks yet to go."

Daniel rubbed Sam's swollen stomach "I still can't believe that you and I are going to be parents." Awed as always when he felt their child move inside his wife's body.

"Yes we are." Sam agreed yawning "Help me up Daniel and let's get to bed."

Admiral Percy Fitzwallace sat down at the large conference table with his staff. As Jack sat down so did the rest of his staff. Janet sat to his right as CMO, Daniel on his other side as head of the linguistics and history section, and a very pregnant Sam as head of the astro physics section. The group sat nervously awaiting their "report card" from the admiral.

Percy Fitzwallace a large stocky black man placed his gold rimmed glasses at the tip of his nose and began to study the reports that had been conducted by his staff, as he, himself was given a guided tour by Jack and by Daniel to explain some of the finer points. The Cheyenne mountain staff sat nervously as Fitzwallace flipped through the pages and waited with baited breath. Finally the admiral looked up and across the table.

"Well Colonel O'Neill I have to congratulate you on this inspection. Other than a couple of minor issues, the base is in extremely good shape." Fitzwallace could almost see the sighs of relief from the others and smiled "I know it couldn't have been easy for you this last month. What with General Hammond taking a leave of absence and all. However you and your staff have definitely risen to the occasion. It is commendable to you to have a staff who obviously worked so hard for you to get ready for this day."

Jack was relieved "Well thank you Admiral for your kind words, and I will pass it along to everyone."

"Do that Colonel." Fitzwallace turned serious for a moment and asked "How is General Hammond by the way?"

"Spending time with his family, sir."

Fitzwallace shook his head angrily "What happened, well it should never have happened at all. In fact I'm going to be going to visit with the General later this evening, George kindly invited me to dine with him. I'm just glad that I can give him some good news, and I'm not just talking about the inspection."

Confused Jack stared at the admiral "Yes Jack, very good news. You see this was more than just an inspection."

"Sir?"

"Well you have a very great fans in President Bartlet and with Leo McGarry and Josh Lyman. In fact it was suggested to me by the President to take advantage of this sad situation, a suggestion made by Josh Lyman, his assistant Chief of Staff and concurred by Leo McGarry as you know the president's Chief of Staff."

"To do what sir?" Jack asked confused more than ever

"To see how you would do under this amount of pressure. Inspections from the Joint Chiefs is a very big deal, especially when I do it personally. The inspection was necessary of course, but it was also a test. A test that you passed with flying colors Colonel." Turning, Fitzwallace nodded to his personal aide, who stood up and left the room only to return a moment later with Cassie who also looked confused as well.

Fitzwallace smiled at the teen and turned to Jack "I thought that you might like to have your family with you at this moment. Seeing as your wife is already here as are your friends, we can get started. Please stand up Colonel and stand over here at attention." Turning to Sam the Admiral smiled "Usually I would make you stand as well for this, but seeing as to your condition, please remain seated." Nodding to his staff, two junior officers went and stood behind Sam.

Fitzwallace cleared his throat and began "To Major Samantha Anne Carter Jackson, by order of the Joint Chiefs of staff, as of this date 23 November of 2004, you are henceforth promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, with all pays and privileges that go along with this rank."

Sam sat shocked as she felt hands on her shoulders removing her gold oak leafs and replacing them with the silver of a ltcol. Fitzwallace held out her promotion certificate, which Sam took and read again. Sam's eyes ran over the words, but the truth of the matter was having a hard time getting into her head. Daniel sat with his mouth open by her side, and prouder of his wife than he'd ever been. This promotion was well deserved for her.

"Now for the other." Fitzwallace held out his hand and another folder was handed to him, he turned and faced Jack, with Janet on one side and Cassie on the other looking on expectantly. "By order of President Josiah Bartlet, in agreement with Congress, and approved by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as of this date 23 November 2004. Colonel Jonathan Spencer O'Neill is hereby promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, with all pays and allowances and privileges of this rank. This is signed by myself, as well as the other Joint Chiefs, secretary of the Air force and by President Bartlet." Percy Fitzwallace smiled and saluted "Congratulations General."

Stunned Jack returned his salute with a faint buzzing sound in his ears, snapping out of it he shook hands with the admiral as the aides took off the silver eagles and replaced them with a gold star, "Sir, I don't know what to say."

Fitzwallace nodded his head and told him, "Just say that you will continue to do as admirable a job as you have been doing."

Jack smiled "I certainly will sir."

"Congratulations again Jackson, oh by the way, since obviously General O'Neill will no longer be on an active SG team, SG-1 is yours to command." Fitzwallace added.

Sam began to struggle to stand "But Admiral, Lt commander Fuentes is senior to me. Why wasn't he promoted."

Fitzwallace smiled "He is being promoted to full commander next month, when the usual promotions list comes out. I spoke to Lt commander Fuentes a few days ago, we spoke about this very subject. He feels that since you have been with the team since the beginning as 2IC he felt it only proper that you should take command of the team. As the fine naval officer he is, commander Fuentes knows 'If it ain't broke don't fix it'. So relax, there will be no animosity there, he told me that he would follow any order that you would give. However, obviously since you are on maternity leave, Lt Commander Fuentes will be in command until your return to active duty."

"I'm sorry Admiral." One of the aides spoke up motioning to his wrist watch.

"Right Tim." The Admiral turned and looked at the group "It seems I have to go if I'm going to make my dinner appointment. Congratulations once again, oh by the way General. The President will be calling in about twenty minutes to congratulate you as well. Good day."

Jack stood at attention as did the others and saluted "Thank you again Admiral Fitzwallace."

Janet waited until the Admiral was out of the room and then hugged her husband.

"I don't believe it!" She exclaimed excitedly "General Jack O'Neill."

"This is so great dad!" Cassie hugged her father excitedly, she couldn't wait to tell Josie.

Daniel turned to his wife "I'm so happy Sam, lieutenant colonel! You too Jack, or should I say General Jack."

Jack shook his head, he was definitely still on cloud nine "I don't believe it." he mumbled, his life long dream finally coming true. "I never thought that I would make it…"

"Neither did I." Sam rubbed her stomach

"It's well deserved." Janet announced happily "Now there are two very important reasons why this makes me so happy."
Lifting an eyebrow "Oh really? What's that?" asked Jack

Smiling Janet sat back down "Well now I am a general's wife, that's one. Second and most important to me and to Cassie and to the twins. No more field work, we don't have to bite our nails and worry anymore about you getting hurt out in the field."

Jack looked up surprised "You've never mentioned that before."

Cassie shrugged and explained "It was part of the package that we accepted when we accepted you. We wanted you to be a part of our family, so we accepted it, but now we can all relax and have a husband and father who comes home every night."

"Yeah" Janet smirked "What's that old saying, Generals are never killed in combat, they all die old men in bed."

"Hey" Daniel stood up clapping his hands together "Let's go out and celebrate this right now!"

Jack smiled ready to gather his team to celebrate with them, "Hold your horses Daniel, the president is going to call. I just got the rank, it wouldn't do to piss the president off so soon afterwards.

Chapter 12: The next article

Danny Concanon stood outside the front door to Murder in Store. Wrapping his coat around himself against the bitter cold he looked up and down the deserted street. Looking at his watch again he saw that it was barely nine p.m. and that the lights on the top floor were still on. Danny thought again about what he was about to do and once again thought if he should press the button. The last month had not been an especially easy one for Danny or his paper. A month of tracking down leads that lead no where, tracking the wrong people, trying to get answers out of the White House. Still it was worth it, if this was the man he was looking for, Danny refused to believe otherwise. This was his talent, finding people like this, finding where the story was, is what Danny loved to do more than almost anything else. This might just be another dead end, but too many things pointed in this direction. First there was the man's name, Michael Angel, it could be a coincidence, but not a likely one. Second, this is the city from where the Archangel was last heard from, and would also be the least likely place that the man would stay. Every other reporter in the White House press room were convinced that Archangel had disappeared to another country, or had disappeared into New York or Los Angeles or any other state other than Colorado. Staying in Colorado, in his colleagues opinion, was the most stupid thing that anyone could do to hide. Yet the simplicity of staying right where you are when trying to hide appealed to Danny, and it might also appeal to a man who knew how to hide in plain sight. Danny looked up again and saw that the light was still burning, and wondered why he was hesitating. Why was he hesitating on trying to get the most important story of his career, the most important story of his lifetime! This story had Pulitzer written all over it, it had to be written by someone and come hell or high water, Danny Concanon was the one that was going to write it.

Danny lifted his hand to ring the bell when suddenly the door opened. Caught by surprise Danny jumped grabbing his heart.

"Sorry" The soft voice that Danny remembered from his previous phone call with the Archangel spoke, "I didn't mean to startle you." Michael stared at the man "Can I help you?"

Gathering his wits Danny stared into the dark eyes that stared back at him. They were dead eyes, Danny noted quickly, they were not however frightening eyes. During his long career Danny had interviewed men who had dead eyes, cruel eyes, they belonged to men who were violent and yes most definitely scary. This man's eyes were different, yes they were dead, but to Danny they seemed like sad eyes. Eyes that had seen too much, and none of it being good, the eyes belong to a man who was exhausted beyond all endurance.

"Can I help you?" Michael asked again

Snapping out of it Danny nodded and held out a card "Yes, I don't know if you remember me but we spoke on the phone about a month ago. I believe that you gave me a story."

Michael looked at the card "So you are from the Washington Post."

"Yes, Mr. Angel." Danny smiled "We spoke on the phone, I recognize your voice."

Michael stared at the man before him neither agreeing or disagreeing with him.

"Yeah." Danny swallowed "Ah…Basically I'm here to talk to you. You promised me a story and you only gave me a beginning."

"So now you want the rest of my story." Michael continued to stare

"Yes" Danny answered nervously, suddenly wondering if he shouldn't have waited for daylight, and witnesses.

"Come in Mr. Concanon." Michael moved to one side "We can talk upstairs."

Danny moved through the large loft apartment and appreciated the man's taste, it was a beautiful home.

"Can I get you a drink Mr. Concanon?" Michael asked politely

"Sure, do you have scotch?" Danny asked removing his coat and making himself comfortable.

"Yes I do." Michael moved over to the bar and poured a drink, heading back he saw that the reporter already had out a tape recorder.

"No good Mr. Concanon." Michael said immediately "No tape, you will have to write it all out. Also no pictures."

"Okay." Danny put away the tape recorder and pulled out his notebook. Tasting his drink, he was stunned.

"What is this stuff?" he asked appreciatively "This is great!"

"Two hundred year old oak barrel from Scotland." Michael told him "I'll write out the name for you later. Now what can I do for you, Mr. Concanon."

"Danny, please."

"Michael" Michael nodded

"Well" Danny put his glass down "I don't know where to start, I mean Jesus, I can't even believe you are talking to me!"

Michael nodded in understanding "Before tonight, I would have denied being who I am." Rubbing his tired eyes again, Michael continued, "I thought that it was finally over. I thought that I could go on with life. I forgot the lessons that I learned so long ago." Shaking his head Michael spat out bitterly "I will never forget again."

Danny stared at the man before him, Michael was angry, but he was also sad, "So what just happened?" He asked pen poised

"I was reminded of who I am, what I am, I have been reminded of what I can't have." Shaking his head Michael changed the subject "This is not what you are here to talk about."

"Yes it is." Danny told him, sitting up he continued "Listen, my readers are very interested in you. Who you are, and what you are, have you been reading the papers lately?"

"No." Michael admitted

"People have been writing in like crazy, a lot of the letters are negative. You know, saying that you should be put in prison for what you did. Others though are squarely behind you, they say that it was nice to know that there was someone out there that was looking out for us."

"So Danny, which side do you fall under."

"I don't know yet." Danny told him truthfully "I mean, I think that you've probably done some pretty horrific things. Yet, what you went through was pretty damn horrific as well. How did you get the code name Archangel?"

Michael shook his head "Ground rules first Danny."

"Okay." Danny agreed

"First of all you have to come up with a reason why you are here. I don't want anyone else coming around here."

"We are old friends and I am here to help you with the grand opening to your store."

"Good, second, anyone asks, you get your stories delivered to you on tape. You transcribe the tapes and then you destroy them. The postmarks are from different cities and countries, never the same place twice. I'll have someone do some deliveries."

"Done."

"Third, you make it crystal clear in your paper that you and I have never met face to face. This is for your own protection. There are plenty of people who would love to know what I look like and where to find me. They will think nothing of taking you and torturing you for that information. You have to make it clear that we correspond by tape and not face to face."

"I like the not being tortured part myself." Danny sipped his drink nervously

"I thought you would." Michael smiled wryly "Fourth, I speak to you and only you, no friends, no friends of friends."

"I share my Pulitzer with nobody." Danny promised

"Last, I want you to also write my book. You publish it and you may keep all the profits from the sales, if any. That's on you."

"You want ME to write your book?" Danny asked excitedly, this was far and beyond his wildest expectations.

Michael sat back and relaxed into his seat, "Yes, I've read your column in the past, which is why I contacted you in the first place. You are very good, and you are fair. That is what I want."

"Deal." Danny held out a hand, which was gripped by a very strong hand. Danny knew instantly that this man could crush his bones to powder if he wished.

"So let's begin." Michael refilled Danny's glass and sat back "The very first day in Sanctuary, I was taken to a room by an agent. There were two people in the room waiting for us, they were the Puppet Master, she was the agent in charge. Also with her was her second in command Praetorian, he is the most vile and cruel man that I have ever met. They told me that my parents were dead and that they were going to be the ones to raise me from now on. Puppet Master held out a bag towards me and told me that my parents had left me one last gift. I was to reach into the bag and to remove one necklace. I did as I was told, I reached in and pulled one out. The chain was made of gold and it had a religious medallion on the end of it. Puppet Master took it and read which medal I had chosen. She smiled and said that it was fated to be, because I had chosen Michael the Archangel, she then placed the necklace around my head. She then told me that my new name was Archangel, that I was to answer to nothing but that name." Sadly Michael shook his head "You see in those days, I still remembered my own name. Anyway, I answered no, and Praetorian proceeded to beat the shit out of me. Puppet Master stopped him before he actually killed me of course. I can still remember Praetorian standing over me, yelling at me that I was the Archangel, and that would be the only name that I answered to from that day, until the end of time."

Danny's pen flew over his note pad as Michael continued to tell his story.

"How old were you that very first meeting?" Danny asked staring at Michael

"I was three."

"Jesus." Danny muttered as he continued to write.

It was three days later that the story hit the front page of the Washington post, and once again by that morning Archangel was the only thing that anyone wanted to talk about. For once in his life as a reporter Danny was glad that he had taken the time off from the paper to devote to this one story. For one, it was obviously one of the biggest stories that he would ever write about. Second, it got him out of the office and out of Washington for awhile, and it would take the other reporters some time to track him down. Danny knew that the news room of the post was probably inundated with calls from other media outlets and papers. Instead he was helping to put together a book store, it was the least he could do to help the man who was going to win him the Pulitzer prize. Third and most important, he was not in the White House press briefing room this morning to catch the fury of a certain Miss. C.J. Cregg.

"Besides" Danny thought to himself "This is a real nice store." looking around he saw many of his own favorite authors. Danny watched as a young teen walked up to Michael.

Cassie steeled herself for this moment, her last day, the last moment of her last day. Cassie really hated this moment, it was the day before the grand opening of the store, and there were so many last minute details to see about. Now she was leaving her new friends, and leaving a place that she liked, but she had promised her parents.

Michael saw that Cassie was heading his way, looking at his watch he saw that it was now the end of her last shift. This served only as another reminder from people. Michael Angel was not to be trusted with their children, that Michael Angel was a crazy man who would hurt their children. Taking several deep breaths Michael calmed down, it wasn't Cassie's fault this was happening. Her parents had concerns, and there is nothing that Michael could tell them that would alleviate those worries. As Cassie approached Michael held out his arms and gave Cassie a hug.

"We are going to miss you around here Cassie." Michael smiled

Cassie rubbed her stinging eyes "I wish I could stay." She told Michael "I wish I understood, but 'I'm too young' or so they say."

Michael smiled "I'm a lot older than you and I don't understand either. You just remember that if you ever need a job, you have one here waiting for you." Michael handed Cassie an envelope with her pay.

"Thanks Michael." Cassie hugged the large man again and then turned to Monica and Andrew, hugging them as well.

Danny walked up to Michael confused "Why is she leaving?" he asked

"I'm not to be trusted." Michael told the reporter "Don't you remember, I'm a maniac." Bitterly Michael turned to head to the elevator to be alone "It's like I told you Danny, they never let you forget and they don't forgive and they will never understand."

Danny watched the large and defeated slump shouldered man walk away. Looking to the other employees, Danny noticed that both Monica and Andrew looked just as sad as Michael did. Both were staring at their employers retreating back, both were worried.

"Why is this happening to him?" Monica whispered to Andrew

"I don't know." Andrew admitted "We just have to have faith Monica, God knows what's he's doing."

Paul Turelli walked down the stairs towards the morgue with newspaper in hand. Opening the door at the bottom of the stairs he was assaulted once again by Jenny's loud music, but this time it was different. Usually Jenny played cheerful upbeat music, that had changed when she met Michael Angel. After that day, whenever Paulie went to the morgue all he heard was sickly sweet love songs, but still upbeat. Then five days ago it had changed again, no more upbeat music, no more love songs, now all that Jenny played was depressing 'I wanna stick my head in the oven and turn the gas on full' music. Now usually Paulie did not interfere in his cousins love life, usually Paulie did not want to know a thing about her love life. It was like hearing any of his sisters talk about sex! Some things are best not shared between brothers and sisters, of whom he considered Jenny to be like. However, Jenny's mood was now affecting other officers in the VCTF South precient as well. Jenny was the usual bright spot in their day, while the detectives dug their way out of the crap and filth of this city. Jenny could be counted on to help keep morale with a winning smile, some cute story or whatever power it was that Jenny possessed that made people smile. Even Jake had been affected, snapping at anyone and everyone for stupid and minor reasons. Finally he had, had it out with his captain and Jake admitted that he had stupidly interfered with Jenny's relationship with Michael Angel.

"Why the hell did you do that?" Paulie asked his friend

Jake shook his head "I was afraid that Jenny was going to be hurt by this guy. Jesus, Paulie, you saw what this guy is capable of doing!"

Paulie shook his head "The man served his country, and after 9/11... well I hope he got a lot of terrorists."

"And how would Jenny react if she knew the truth!" Jake asked Paulie "You know Jenny, she would freak."

Paulie shook his head "It has to be Jenny's choice, Jake. I know you love her, and you know how I feel about her. Jenny is stronger than people give her credit for. I know Jenny is sugar and spice and everything nice, but she is strong Jake. If she's not strong enough, then that is why we are here to help her out, but it has to be her choice."

"I know." Jake slumped into his chair "I know you're right, I knew it after I left Angel's store, but it was done. Now it's too late for me to take it back."

Paulie grabbed the paper off Jake's desk, "I'll talk to her." he promised

Opening Jenny's office door, Paulie was rocked back by the sheer volume of the music. Making his way inside, Paulie found the CD player and turned it off.

"Jesus Jenny, you are going to be deaf soon if you keep playing it this loud."

Jenny continued to stare at the back wall of her office.

"Jenny" Paulie sat down on the edge of her desk "We need to talk."
"I don't want to hear it Paulie, not now."

"It's about your friend Michael."

Jenny spun around and gasped "Did something happen to him?" She asked suddenly frightened

Paulie shook his head tapping the paper against his knee "Not that I know of, but I wanted to speak to you about him."

"It's none of your business Paulie." Jenny told him bluntly

Paulie raised an eyebrow, Jenny had never spoken like this before.

"You love him, don't you." Paulie asked gently

Jenny stared at her giant cousin, she wanted to deny it, to make him see that it wasn't true, that the last few days had not been torture for her. To not see Michael, to not be with him, finally she just told him the truth, "I thought I did." Jenny admitted "You don't know the whole story though, Paulie."

"I know more than you think." Paulie stood up and headed to the open door and stopped "You know Jenny, there are a lot of things that you don't know. Things only Michael can tell you, obviously he has already told you some of it." Paulie told her knowingly "But you know what I wonder?"

Jenny stared at her cousin with open mouth, Paulie did know! "What Paulie?"

Looking at Jenny straight in the eye, he asked, "Did you give him a chance to explain it to you, did you just hear or did you really listen? Anyway…" Paulie held up the paper "There is a story about Michael in today's paper, I thought you might like to read it." Paulie tossed the paper on her desk and walked out.

Jenny picked up the paper and unfolded it, Jenny's eyes bugged out as she read the screaming headline.

"MY LIFE IN HELL, Archangel's story, byline by Danny Concanon"

"A few days ago I was sitting in my little cubicle, trying to come up with a witty way to write the story of the President's new budget proposals. Now as everyone knows the President of the United States is a Nobel laureate in economics, and as such his budget proposal is way over the head of this simple reporter. So there I was trying to understand my notes when a package was delivered to my desk. The postmark was from Denmark (By the way I don't know anyone in Denmark), so the package caught me off guard. Upon opening it I was a bit surprised to find myself holding a tape. Curious I slipped it into my tape player and pressed play and listened wondering what kind of joke was being played on me now. Suddenly to my surprise I heard a voice that I have heard only once before. The voice of a man who had given me the story of a life time, yes dear readers, it was the one and only unique voice of the Guardian Angel known as Archangel. On the tape he gave me instructions that were to be followed to the letter, if I ever wanted to hear from him again. He told me that when I was done listening to the tape I was to destroy it immediately (Which I have done) and to write the next installment of his story. The tape started with the following quote.

Since I exposed Sanctuary for what it was, and for what it did, I have been doing a lot of traveling. Throughout the U.S. and abroad, I sit and I listen to many of the conversations about me, speculating what kind of animal I am. What kind of life I am having now that I am free to do and go as I please, and how long will it be before I kill again. So let me begin by answering those questions. As to what kind of animal I am, well I am human, and let me tell you that there is no other creature that is more dangerous than a human. There is no other species that kills their own like we do. Now as to the things that I have done, yes I have killed. I have killed many dangerous men, men who were hell bent on killing innocent people for no other reason that they hate the way we live or who we worship. This is what I was taught to do, this is what I was forced to become, I had no choice in that matter. You hate me for it, and yet, I am the one that you run to when you are in danger. You say 'help us please', and I risk my life to help you. Then when I have done what you asked of me, once that I have shed blood for you, and have shed my own blood to protect you. You then turn around and demand that I leave, because you believe that I am just too dangerous to keep around. That is until the next time that you need my help, then the vicious cycle begins again, and I hope and pray that this time you will let me stay when it is all over, but you never do. Now for your other question, what is my life like now? Well to tell you the truth, I live in hell. I live in fear. I live in hell because I am alone, everyone that I have ever loved is either gone or dead. Every time I close my eyes the ghosts of the past come to haunt me. I haven't slept more than a few hours a night since I left. Now I know what you are thinking, you think I'm talking about the men that I have killed, I'm not. Those that I have killed, were killers, they were spawned from hell and were more evil and cruel than you could ever possibly imagine. So I don't shed tears for them, if I could shed tears that is to say. No the faces I see, are the faces of the ones that I could not save. The ones that I was too late to save, they haunt my dreams asking me over and over again, why wasn't I good enough to save them? What do I tell them? What do I tell you? The only thing that I can say is that I did the best that I could, I saved as many as I could, but I am sorry. I'm sorry that I wasn't good enough to save everyone, and that is my personal hell. I also live in fear, fear of what you might ask. Well I am not afraid of death, actually I'm kind of looking forward to that day. Maybe then I can finally find some peace. No, I don't fear death, I fear life. I am afraid of walking in the daylight, I have lived in darkness all of my life. I am afraid that I will always be alone in a world that does not want me to exist in it. I have heard it already, spoken in whispers, Archangel can't be trusted, he is a monster, and he cannot be allowed to roam free in the countryside, let's put him in prison, let's put him in an asylum. We can't let him get near our children, we can't let him date our women, we can't be his friend, Archangel is just too dangerous to be around. It's only a matter of time before the maniac shows himself for what he really is, and then kills us all! This is why I hide from you people, sometimes I just want to hide amongst the shadows once again and just watch you as you enjoy the things that are denied to me because of a twist of fate. Just get lost in those shadows and never come back. I hate that world, but at least there I am accepted for who I am and everything makes sense to me, there I am no longer afraid. Who knows, I may still do that very thing, just disappear so I can be left in peace. So this is my life, I don't sleep, I don't smile much, laugh even less, I have no friends anymore and I am unlikely to make any new ones anytime soon, because sooner or later they realize the truth and they think they know who I am. But they can't know me, they can not know me, because they never had to live like me, never had to make the tough choices I have had to make. They can't comprehend the pain that I endure for some of those choices. This is my life, let me tell you how it all began."

Samantha Carter Jackson put down the paper on the breakfast table, and wiped away the tears from her face. Looking at Janet, who had come over with the that mornings paper, as she sat looking just as depressed as Sam felt at this moment. Neither of them had realized the depth of pain that Michael dealt with on a daily basis. The constant, never-ending guilt that weighed him down, that left a man wishing for his own death. So that he could find the peace that was denied to him here and now. The peace that they themselves had denied to Michael Hammond, based solely on what kind of man they thought he was. They had thought of Michael as a killer, a lunatic. They had forgotten about the little boy who was beaten and forced to become a weapon to kill those who would kill innocent victims. Only now did they realize that Michael wanted nothing more than to be left in peace, to have friends and people to care about him. To not be alone any more, as he had been for so many years. They had both been so happy when they heard that Jenny had left Michael for good. Sam was also relieved beyond measure when Janet had told her that Cassie had quit her new job. Now Sam felt sick to her stomach knowing that she had a hand in kicking a man while he was down. That she had aided in taking away the one and only good thing in a man's life and left him wanting his own death.

Looking at Janet all she could say was "What have we done?"

Josh Lyman sat behind his desk listening and writing down the information as quickly as he could. Donna sat across from her boss/lover wondering what was going on now. From the look on Josh's face, she knew that it was nothing good, Donna had not seen Josh so angry in years. It had started first thing that morning as they had sat down to breakfast and Josh had opened the paper. There on the front page in extremely large print was a new story from the Archangel, that was when his beeper went off and cell phone began to ring. Next was the harried rush to the office and into strategy meetings about what next to do and who was going to talk to the former agent. Then another phone call had arrived from of all people Control from Sanctuary with more bad news. Josh had told the man to come over immediately to talk it over, the meeting had Control leaving to go back and monitor the situation and Josh looking extremely pale. Josh had been just about to tell her to contact the President when another phone call arrived, this time from the director of the F.B.I., this led to another harried conversation with Josh taking notes and then giving instructions to the Bureau director. Looking at Josh talking on the phone now, Donna wasn't too sure that Josh's head was not going to explode.

Hanging up the phone, Josh began to organize his materials.

"Donna."

"Yes, Josh" she answered instantly

"I need to see the President immediately, tell his secretary that this is an emergency. Also get on to Leo, Toby, Will and CJ and get them all to meet me in the oval office right now." Donna picked up the phone and began to dial. Josh gathered together all the necessary files and left the office.

Josh arrived outside the oval office minutes later and was told the President would see him in just a few minutes. Nodding Josh checked his watch and began to pace, as the rest of the senior staff entered the outer office.

Leo looked at his second "What's up Josh? What's the emergency?"

Josh looked around at the others "Not here, let me just say that the you know what, has just hit the fan."

Charlie Young opened the door to the oval office and nodded to the senior staff that the President was ready for them.

Jed Bartlet watched as his senior staff walked in and began to take seats in his sitting area. Taking his own seat at the head of the table and stared at Josh, who he noticed was extremely pale.

"What's wrong Josh?" The President began

Josh nodded and began "Good morning Mr. President, I'll begin this with the Archangel situation. I think that we should send Will and CJ to go and meet with Archangel and explain to him why he should not be sending out any more interviews to Danny."

CJ shook her head "I'm going to kill Danny the next time I see him." She announced angrily "He didn't even give us a heads up on what was on it's way."

"Leo?" The President asked

"Josh is right." Leo said immediately "We don't want Archangel in the white house, if a reporter got a whiff of that one…" Leo shook his head "I don't even want to think about it."

Josiah Bartlet nodded "Good, Will, you and CJ catch a plane today and go out there and talk to him. Next.."

"This is where the day goes to hell Mr. President." Josh admitted "Control from Sanctuary came to see me a little while ago."

Jed sat up interestedly "Really! What did he want?"

Josh opened a file and began "As you know Mr. President, some Sanctuary agents are still in play undercover."
"Yes, your suggestion, which I agreed to very reluctantly." The President agreed

Pulling out a set of photographs he passed them around "Well sir, one of those agents took these pictures and sent them in to Sanctuary. The agent thought that we'd be very interested in them."

Leo looked at the picture "What am I looking at?" he asked Josh

Josh swallowed hard "What you all are looking at are former Sanctuary agents codenamed Thor and Loki training MFM terrorists."

"What!" Leo sat up shocked "Where were these taken?"

"Syria" Josh told them "The MFM or Muslim Freedom Movement as they are known have hired the Norsemen to train their terrorists. That means that these guys are teaching our enemies everything there is to know about our defenses! Control believes that Puppet Master is renting out her remaining agents to terror groups for millions of dollars."

The President sat back in shock "My God, what does Control suggest we do?"

"Nothing yet, Mr. President." Josh told him "He's getting together right now with Control from the CIA and NSA to try and determine what is going on and what exactly we can do to stop it from continuing. They will report to us before the end of the day."

"Keep on them Josh." The President ordered.

"Yes sir, next…"

Josiah Bartlet looked up surprised "There's more?"

"One last thing Mr. President and by far the most frightening." Josh admitted

Toby looked up amazed that there could be more then they had already received

"Oh good." He began sarcastically "Cause we were all waiting for the truly frightening part."

Bartlet threw a tired glance at Toby, "Let's hear it."

"I just got off the phone with the director of the FBI. They finally broke someone at Norton Nuclear. Something besides files were stolen Mr. President. To be precise 250 kilos of Americium 123 was also stolen as was an unknown quantity of Naquada."

"Americium 123?" Will looked confused as was CJ

"Americium 123 is nuclear waste, but Americium can be turned into weapons grade nuclear materials."

Leo sat opened mouth "And the Naqueda?"

"From the Stargate sir." Josh began "As you know Mr. President Naqueda is the material that was used to construct the Stargate and it is also used as the basis of creating all of the Goauld weapons. I did some checking Mr. President, an air force gave a large amount of Naquada to Norton years ago to research the possibility of using it as a power source and also what military applications it could be used for as well. Mr. President do you remember some years ago when we got word of the Goauld invasion force that was heading to earth."

Bartlet nodded "Yes I remember, SG-1 was able to stop them."

"Yes sir, but we fired nuclear missiles at it first sir."

Leo sat up remembering "That's right, they were nuclear missiles laced with Naquada!"

Josh nodded "Yes, because it was discovered that Naquada multiplies the blast of a nuclear explosion by a factor of a couple of hundred percent. Add all that together and you get, that Puppet Master has enough nuclear material to destroy the entire eastern seaboard!"

Bartlet stood up "I want the joint chiefs, heads of the CIA, NSA, FBI in the situation room. I want someone from Norton, their top expert on a plane here right now. Contact the SGC and I want their top expert on Naquada here as soon as possible as well. We need to figure out what the hell that woman is going to do with all that nuclear material. CJ, the press is to know nothing of this."

"Understood Mr. President."

The President looked around the room "No leaks on this one people, if this leaks out to the press I will have the head of the person responsible on a pike!"

Will stood up gathering his things "Mr. President, do you still want me and CJ…"

"Yes" Josiah Bartlet sighed "I know this is the worst time for this to come up. Still we need to get Archangel off our backs for now."

"Yes Mr. President."

Chapter 13: Coming to terms

Jenny walked into the bookstore looking for Michael.

Monica smiled as she spotted the woman "Hello Jenny, it's so nice to see you. We've missed you." Happy that Jenny was back, Michael was so close to the edge right now. Closer than Monica had ever seen him, only this time Michael had no interest in pulling himself away from that edge.

Jenny smiled "I've missed you guys as well." Looking around the store "Where's Michael?" she asked nervously as she looked around the store.

"Up stairs." Andrew smiled happy to see Jenny as well. "Oh by the way Jenny meet Danny Concanon, an old friend of Michaels.

Jenny smiled and shook hands with Danny "I read your story in this morning's paper." She admitted "You write with such compassion."

"Thank you." Danny smiled, now realizing why Michael had been so depressed since they had met. He would be depressed as well if this woman had left him. Danny couldn't quite put his finger on it. He had seen much more beautiful women in his life. Jenny was pretty, very pretty, but she seemed to exude some quality that made those around her comfortable, like an old friend. Danny had felt it instantly, feeling almost as if he'd known this woman all his life. Her best feature though was her smile, it was full, easy, relaxed and yet brilliant and warm. Hell if Danny weren't afraid of the fact that Michael would probably kill him. Danny was all ready to ask this woman to spend the rest of her life with him.

"Please excuse me, I have to see Michael." Closing the elevator doors Jenny went up

Michael looked up as the elevator door opened, revealing Jenny. Instantly Michael tensed up wondering why Jenny was here now.

Jenny stared at Michael horrified, she was shocked to see that Michael had seemingly aged at least five years in the five days they'd been apart. Michael seemed exhausted as if he had not slept in those five days. His eyes were blood shot, haunted, and he had not shaved in days either. All that Jenny could think was that it was her fault, that Michael was in this condition. That she left him alone to face his demons, Jenny now realized that she had been the one that was keeping him sane. That without her, Michael had no one in the world. Jenny did not realize until this very moment, just how alone in the world Michael really was. Also, after reading that article, just how much pain Michael was in.

"I'm sorry Michael." Jenny began tentatively moving into the room "I should never have left that night with out letting you explain."

Michael shook his head as he collapsed onto the couch, "I knew it was going to happen, I knew that you would hate me for telling you the truth."

"I don't hate you." Jenny sat down beside Michael "I was scared, I mean, you seem so kind and gentle. You treated me like a queen, with more respect and love than I have ever experienced in my life. Then you tell me that you were once a government assassin. I just couldn't fathom it. I still can't fathom it, I mean why you?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders "The one question I have been asking since it happened. Why me? Why was I one of the ones that was chosen and not someone else." Michael leaned his head back tiredly "I just don't know why."

Nervously Jenny pulled at her shoulder length hair, "Tell me about the men that you have killed Michael."

"I can't go into specifics." Michael warned her "It's all classified top secret, there are only a handful of people on the planet that know everything that I've ever done."

"How many…" Jenny began tentatively

"I honestly don't know. I lost count somewhere after fifty." Michael admitted painfully staring down at the ground. "I mean how many did I give you when I first got into town?"

"That was you!" Jenny was shocked, "Dear God, so many Michael."

Morosely Michael nodded in agreement "I know, I have done some horrible things in my life. Things that I will never tell a living soul. I didn't do it because I enjoyed it Jenny, I did it because I'm good at it, this is what I was trained for."
Jenny nodded, but didn't really understand.

"Couldn't you have refused?" she asked

With a bitter chuckle Michael shook his head, "No, for two fundamental reasons "First, I would have been cancelled immediately…"
"Cancelled?"

"Killed Jenny, when you cancel someone, you are canceling the rest of their lives." Michael explained, hoping beyond hope that this woman would find a way to forgive him. Michael didn't understand why he needed this particular woman to forgive him. Perhaps it is just the simple fact that if this one good woman could forgive him, then perhaps others would as well. Then perhaps someday, a long time from now, Michael could forgive himself.

"Oh." Jenny replied in a small voice "But why would they kill you, I mean how could they get away with killing their own agents."

"To the world, I don't exist, Jenny." Michael explained "Until a month ago, I never had a drivers license, or a social security card, I have never paid taxes. It is easy to make that type of person disappear forever without anyone asking a thing. I have lived my whole life in the shadows, never being completely in the light. I don't even know if Michael Angel is my real name! I have had a thousand different names and identities over the years. I have lived a life of lies and secrets, I could never tell anyone who I really was. I could never show anyone who I really was, because a part of me does not know who I am."

Jenny couldn't believe that anyone could live that kind of life "And the other reason?"

"Guilt." Michael told her, at her confused expression, Michael explained "Say that I had refused an assignment, and they didn't cancel me. They then hand if off to another agent who is not as good as I am. Then he fails…you have to understand Jenny, if I failed at an assignment, innocent people died. Husbands, wives, children, all dead because I did nothing to stop it when I could have done something. I couldn't sit back and watch that happen, not while I could do something to stop it from happening."

Jenny wiped her eyes, it just wasn't right for them to guilt a person into doing what they wanted.

"It's not fair." She told him

Michael shrugged and simply told her the truth, "It was my life, and I had no choice."

"What about the others?" Jenny asked "Were you all taught the same way?"

"Yes" Michael admitted "But I was the best, and since I was the best. The others were always a bit leery about me."

"Why would they be leery?" Jenny asked confused by this man's strange world

"They were always afraid that I was going to rat them out." Michael smiled a bit "We used to break the rules at times, where we were trained, some of them thought that I would rat them out to get ahead."

"But you didn't." Jenny didn't ask it as a question, she knew that Michael would never do such a thing.

"No" Michael admitted "I would die for them."

Jenny smiled, she knew that she had been right, "I just need to know one thing."

"What's that?" Michael asked nervously

"Do you love me?"

Michael looked deeply into her blue eyes and searched his soul for the truth, "Yes" he said simply and honestly.

"Good, because I love you too." Jenny hugged Michael tightly relishing the feeling of his strong arms around her holding her tight "And I'm not afraid anymore. We will get through this together." Jenny promised, "Now lay your head on my lap and sleep. I'm here, so there won't be any bad dreams."

Michael stared at Jenny as would a child. "Promise?"

"Promise, now sleep." Jenny rhythmically and gently stroked his brow. Michael was asleep in a matter of seconds. No dreams came to haunt him that night.

The Hammond family walked into Murder in Store the next morning on opening day. George was pleased that it had turned out to be a perfect day for the store opening. The sun was out and shining and it was a bit warm for the first day of December in Colorado, especially after the snow storms of a few weeks before. The store was packed with customers both young and old and to his surprise a whole lot of the Turelli family as well, and all perusing the stacks of books. Lines ten deep at each of the five registers, all holding books waiting patiently to purchase. In the back they could see that the dining area was full as well as people enjoyed their coffee and snacks or some eating lunch. George could see a long line of people waiting and Miranda Carter sitting at a table greeting fans and signing copies of their books, a large smile on her face as she spoke to them. Jake stood beside his beautiful wife handing her books to sign and making sure that Mira had everything that she needed. Store employees rushed back and forth helping customers while wearing black t-shirts with a big red dagger on the front and back with the store name emblazoned on it. Then he saw Michael and his heart began to beat a bit faster. Michael was standing near the entrance greeting customers and welcoming them to his store. George was a bit surprised to see Jenny Barnes with a giant smile on her face greeting customers as well. Suddenly George began to wonder what his son had been doing for the last month and a half!

Michael spotted the general and moved over to greet him.

"General Hammond." Michael smiled "Welcome, and thank you for coming to our grand opening."

"My pleasure." George responded "Oh by the way this is my family, my daughters, Janice, Felicia and Daisy." George stared into his son's eyes, was that a spark of recognition in his eyes?

"A pleasure to see you all again." Michael shook hands with them all, he felt an electric shock as he shook the generals hand. Shaking it off Michael was introduced to the husbands and to the children.

Michael turned to introduce Jenny "And may I introduce Dr. Jenny Barnes."

George Hammond smiled "We've met, it's been awhile though, good to see you doctor Barnes."

"Jenny please general." Jenny blushed

"Oh you've met." Michael trying to turn off his suspicion alarm reminding himself that not everything was a trap anymore.

George continued "Yes, about seven, eight months ago now. We had a series of deaths at the mountain and Jenny was the pathologist assigned to the case."

Michael relaxed "Oh yes, I remember reading about that case. The man thought HE was the Archangel." Michael chuckled, as if…

George coughed "Yes, quite." Not too sure of his son's sense of humor

Daisy jumped in seeing her father's expression "Could you give us a quick tour?"

"Of course." Michael smiled as he led them towards the back.

Tess shook her head as she made her way to her fellow angels. Andrew was busy with a customer, but Monica was standing to one side and smiled as she saw Tess approaching her."

"Hello Tess." Monica began brightly

"Hello baby." Tess smiled "How's everything going here?" she asked

"Fine" Monica admitted "We did have that little incident with Jake Carter."
"So I heard." Tess raised an eyebrow

"But it all turned out okay, Jenny is back with Michael now. I think that their relationship is even stronger now." Monica smiled knowingly "I understand why God did it now, Jenny hates secrets and I see how she was so hurt by this secret. God wanted Jenny to know the truth, so that she could be here for Michael, because now there are no secrets between them."

Tess smiled gratified that Monica now saw the truth of God's plan, "Good, sometime soon, Michael is going to need her to help him." Tess warned darkly

Monica nodded in complete agreement "How about you?" she asked "How are things going with the general?"

Tess snorted "That man is the most stubborn creature that God has ever created. He was near pneumonia when I finally got to him. Then nursing him back to health was a trial. Then trying to get him away from those movies was torture. Trying to convince him to even come here today was an ordeal."

"So how did you finally get him to come?" Monica asked curiously

"I didn't." Tess admitted "I needed the help of Admiral Fitzwallace to make him finally come. I spoke to the Admiral in private for a moment and explained the fears of George's family. How the general was falling into a deep fit of depression. The admiral understood and spoke with the general for quite awhile. He's the one who finally convinced George to come here today and at least meet with Michael." Tess explained.

Will Bailey and C.J. Cregg stepped into the book store, surprised to see that the place was literally jammed packed with customers. Entering they began to look around trying to spot Michael.

A young pimpled faced teen walked up to them "Hi, welcome to Murder in Store." he began politely "Is there anything that I can help you find?"

Will nodded and smiled "Yes, we are looking for Mr. Angel. He's an old friend and we are just in town for the day and wanted to see him."

The teen smiled "Sure, I'll get him for you. I'll be right back."

Will nodded and turned to C.J. who had been looking around the store.

Stopping short CJ's voice became hard "Excuse me Will, but I've just spotted another old friend."

Will looked over and saw Danny talking to some woman about the book she was holding.

"God be with you Danny." Will thought to himself, glad that he wasn't a certain reporter today as C.J. tapped Danny on the shoulder.

Will shook his head as he felt a tap on his own shoulder.

"Mr. Bailey." Michael asked in a friendly fashion "To what do I owe the honor?" Will looked around, this was not the place to have this particular conversation.

"Is there somewhere that we can talk in private?"

Michael had been expecting some thing of this sort to happen, "Of course." He motioned to the elevator.

Danny Concannon turned when he felt the tap on his shoulder. The smile that had been on his face instantly disappeared the moment he saw CJ's face.

In a false sweet tone of voice CJ began "Well look who's here, if it isn't my old friend, who stabbed me in the back."

Danny held up a hand "CJ, I know you're pissed."

"Who me?" CJ asked innocently "Why would I ever be mad at you Danny?"

"CJ!"

Turning CJ spotted Will standing with Angel, spinning back on a dime CJ pointed a finger in Danny's face.

"I have to go and take care of somebody else right now. However, if you move from this spot Danny Concannon I swear to God that I will hunt you down and make you pay." Without another word CJ stalked off towards the two other men.

Danny gulped, he'd never seen CJ this mad before "Nice to see you too CJ."

Will and CJ sat down on the couch as Michael sat opposite them. The tension in the room was palpable as they stared at each other. Finally CJ ended the silence.

"I see that you have given another interview." She began hotly

Will cringed mentally screaming at CJ "Please don't antagonize the man that can kill us both with his pinky."

"Yes" Michael said simply

"Why?" Asked Will

"Because I was asked to do so by Danny." Michael shrugged as if the answer was obvious

Will looked at the man incredulously "So some stranger asks you for an interview and you just give it to them? No regard for national security?"

Michael smiled "That's just about it." he agreed

"Well…" Will stared at the man before him "Don't do that."

"Okay." Michael told them "Just Danny then."

CJ spoke up "No, you don't give interviews to anyone. Not to Danny, not to anyone from the media, is that understood?"

"No I don't." Michael's eyes began to narrow

Will tried to interject, he knew that threatening this man would be of no use. He had probably been threatened by a whole lot more than the likes of him and CJ.

"CJ, I don't…"
CJ continued ignoring Will "Then I'll say it again, you talk to no one with out our express permission. No media interviews to anyone, is that understood."

"No" Michael told her in no uncertain terms "I speak to whom I wish, and no one can stop me from doing so. It says so in the constitution, perhaps you have heard of that document." Michael saw that CJ was getting more angry and about to say something really stupid and piss him off. "Miss Cregg, before you try any more of your childish attempt to scare me into silence, let me tell you something. I am not a man you can intimidate into doing anything that you want. I have met and dealt with people who make you look as threatening as a girl scout selling cookies door to door. Don't piss me off any more than I already am at you people. You start anything, and you will find out how dangerous to you and the president I really am."

"What are you saying?" Will asked seriously knowing that this was dangerous ground that they were treading upon.

"So far I've only spoken about what has happened to me. Keep harassing me and I will give explicit details of the work I've done for my government. Names, dates, places, weapons and tactics used by me and others that will bury you up to your necks in shit. Impeachment will be the least of your problems, you will all have your arms full trying to keep the president from getting life in prison."

Will stared at the man in shock "But the president didn't know…"

"One story is nothing, two nothing, but after I give thirty or forty stories, they will think that the president is either guilty of hiding all of this to save his own ass. Or that he is the stupidest man in the country."

"And what is it that you want?" CJ asked knowing that they couldn't let this all go public, Angel was right, it would destroy the president, the entire administration.

Michael sighed "I just want people to know about me." he told them frustrated "To know that I'm not some psycho killer who is looking for his next victim. That, yes I've done some bad shit in my life, but everything that I have done is to protect people, to protect my government." Michael turned to CJ "Yes Ms. Cregg, even to protect my President. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore, I don't want to hurt the president or any of you. So please don't force me to do that. I just want to get this weight that is not allowing me to breathe off my chest, off my heart so that I can start to live. I want to bury my ghosts, but before I can bury them I have to get them out of me and be done with it once and for all."

"I can understand that, and I sympathize with you." Will shook his head in frustration "But you can't do it in this fashion. The media storm that you create every time you open your mouth is unbelievable. The feeding frenzy is not restricted to just reporters. Just about every country on this planet has contacted us asking if it was you who killed some their leaders who died in mysterious accidents or have been out right assassinated."

Michael sighed "So what is my alternative. How else do I get this all out of me, how do I disappear so that the press will stop all of this."

"I don't know." Will admitted knowing that all the secrets couldn't be easy to live with "But I will make you a deal."

Michael sat up interestedly "What kind of deal."

"You give no more interviews, and I will figure out a way for you to get this all out so that there will be no fallout. A way so that no one gets hurt."

Michael sat back and considered the offer, could he trust this man?

Will and CJ stared at Michael, both could see that he was thinking about Will's offer. CJ had to admit that Michael was being cooperative, and a part of her also sympathized with him. She too would want to scream from the roof tops 'YOU SEE WHAT YOU BASTARDS DID TO ME!" CJ knew that she would want revenge for everything, destroy everyone who had destroyed her. Yet Michael wasn't asking for a whole lot, vengeance was not at the root of what he wanted. All Michael wanted was some peace for himself, for people to know that he isn't a bad man.

Finally Michael looked up "I am going to do something that I have never done in my entire adult life." he told them "I am going to trust you Mr. Bailey. I am going to trust that you will find a way for me to talk until I can't talk anymore." Standing up Michael held out a hand to Will "I will give no more interviews to the press, or to Danny Concannon. Although I should tell you that I already gave him one other interview." He warned them "But you have my word that I will give no more."

"Thank you Mr. Angel." Will shook his hand

"Michael"

Will smiled "Will."

"My name is CJ, Michael." CJ also shook his hand

Michael smiled "Okay, CJ, Will, do you want to stay awhile? Look around? Get an autographed book by one of the nations best mystery writers?"

CJ smiled, Michael was trying to make friends with the white house.

"Sure to all the above, first I have to yell at Danny for a while."

"Love to." Will agreed, being that he was a closet mystery buff himself, and Miranda Carter was definitely one of the best. "I wonder if Mrs. Carter would mind signing a bunch of books." Will questioned as CJ threw him a look.

"What?" Will defended "My sister loves mysteries so does Bonnie and Ginger, so does Donna, Margaret, so does Leo and Josh could use some distraction." Will chuckled "And you know Toby could use some distraction."

"You are right about that one." CJ laughed "Get one for the first lady too." CJ added "Both the President and the first lady are fans."

Will looked surprised "Really? Mysteries don't seem to me to be on the President's preferred reading list." Knowing that the president was very snobbish in his choice of books.

CJ laughed "Charlie told me once that he caught the president reading a mystery novel that was stuck inside an economics report during a meeting with the FED treasurer."

They all laughed as they made their way to the elevator. As Michael closed the door he turned to CJ.

"By the way CJ, during your next press briefing. You might want to mention that in the last interview I gave Danny, I made it clear that I have never killed a government official."
"Really?" CJ asked surprised

"That is the God's honest truth." Michael explained "That is what Puppet Master used the Norsemen for."

"You know the Norsemen?" Will asked trying to keep his tone level, knowing that this particular group was being searched for by hundreds of law enforcement officers.

"Sure, psychos the lot of them." Michael told them as he closed the grill gate, "Puppet Master got them out of prisons, ex military, just about anyone who had a grudge to settle. She then had them trained and put to use. I was strictly a terrorist hunter, I avoided them as much as possible. Oh and you can tell the CIA that the amateurs that they have had following me can go home now."

"What CIA amateurs?" Will questioned

"The CIA tracking team." Michael said conversationally as the elevator descended "Three, four man teams on eight hour rotating shifts, they've been following me since the day that I retired. I've thought about losing them…" Michael shrugged "But I figure that would cause more of a hassle if they didn't know where I was at all times."

Chapter 14: Complications

Not for the first time Jed Bartlet wondered why the lights in the situation room were kept so dim. It almost seemed to him that the men who designed the room had done it purposely so no could identify who was sitting across from them. After some of the decisions that had been made in this particular room, Jed could very well understand that theory. This was definitely a room that housed a lot of secrets, and a whole hell of a lot of bones were buried in the closet of the room.

Everyone in the room came to attention as Jed headed for his seat, Leo McGarry took his own place and waited for the President to take his seat.

"Please everyone be seated." The president began "Okay, what do we know?" he asked turning his attention to the FBI Director.

Sitting up in his seat the director cleared his throat, "Mr. President, as you know this morning we finally broke one of Norton's scientists. A, Dr. Emil Posner finally admitted that nuclear materials were stolen from the facility. Also stolen were plans on how to construct various types of weapons, from a large to a medium size and also a suitcase sized weapon. Now depending on how many bombs they want to make will determine the sizes of the devices. Second, after we discovered that the facility had actually lost nuclear materials we demanded the surveillance tapes of the night in question. We do have film of one of the men involved in the robbery." The director of the FBI told the assembled group "However we have been unable to identify him." He added

"I can answer that one." The director of the CIA put in "We at the agency received a copy of the photo and I gave it to my control, who then gave it to Sanctuary. Control of Sanctuary has identified the man as Nick Holden, codenamed Odin." The large screen on the far wall lit up and displayed the face of a man.

Leo studied the face of the man on the screen, it was a cruel face. Handsome, but somehow cold and threatening. The man's eyes also reflected that cruelty, as if the only thing that could make this particular man happy, was to cause another man pain.

"He looks like a happy man." The president snorted derisively

The agency director nodded in agreement as he opened a file in front of him.

"Name as I said is Nick Holden, former colonel in the U.S. Army, was booted out of the army in 1993. He received a dishonorable discharge, he was convicted of executing prisoners of war during Desert Storm. Apparently the man's son, Nick Holden Jr. was second lieutenant in the army and was killed by the Iraqis. As revenge, Colonel Holden executed seven prisoners before being stopped by the MP's. Was sentenced to life imprisonment in Leavenworth. In 1995 he was taken from the facility into Sanctuary, given the code name Odin, after the Norse God he was put in charge of the Norsemen. From 1995 up until a month ago he led his team of twenty men on raids that ranged from Intel gathering to assassination." The agency director closed the file and looked at the president "He has never failed in any mission that he was given. The man is a brilliant tactician, and he has trained his men extremely well. In fact, next to the Guardian Angels, the Norsemen are the best in the business."

The President looked skyward and snorted "Of course, why not."

Leo shook his head and turned to the director, "So what do you think that they are going to do with the nuclear materials?"

"Sell it to the highest bidder." The FBI director told them "That is according to our analysts, the Norsemen don't have the ability to build the devices themselves."

"What if the Puppet Master is involved?" Chairman Fitzwallace added

"We don't think so." The agency director told them "It presupposes to many things."

"Like what?" Asked the President

The two directors looked at each other and finally the agency director spoke first, "Well to begin with Mr. President, Puppet Master would have had to have known that exposure was a possibility. I mean the exposure of the entire organization as it was. For that to be the case, Archangel would certainly have to be involved. He would have had orders to do exactly as he did. Otherwise there was no way for Puppet Master to have guessed what her agent would do under those circumstances. Our analysts do not believe that is the case here sir."

Leo sat back in his seat rubbing his chin, "Well how do we know that Archangel is not involved in this whole thing."

The FBI director shrugged "Well first of all sir, he would never have stayed where we can find him. If Archangel was involved he would have faded to black the moment his mission was accomplished and returned to Puppet Master, he has not done so. As of our last Intel, Archangel is celebrating the opening of his business, a mystery book store in Colorado Springs. No, Archangel is not running anywhere, we also have him under surveillance twenty-four hours a day. It is at a distance and there is no way that he can know about it. Next there is the fact that he killed so many Sanctuary agents. Puppet Master would never have sacrificed so many of her operatives just for a show. No, the round robin that Archangel was placed under was real and it had the real results that many of her people died."

"We are going to be keeping tabs on Archangel though aren't we?" Leo asked still unsure where the ex-agent's loyalties laid.

"Of course sir." The Bureau director told them "We will keep him under our watch until ordered otherwise by you, Mr. President."

"Good" The President agreed with the security counsel do far "Now, as to the Norsemen."

"Yes sir." The agency director opened another file "The Norsemen are made up of a compliment of twenty agents. All of their code names are taken from Norse mythology. They are all former military, black ops and special forces. Many of them were in stockades, however some of them were recruited right out of the military. We have all their names and pictures of them as well. We have agency wet teams searching the world for them as we speak. Their orders are to bring them in if possible, barring that they are to dispatch them."

The president shook his head in frustration "You people have so many funny euphuisms for murdering people. Canceling someone, dispatching someone, giving others heart attacks."

"Yes sir." The agency director admitted "However, as unsavory as the job is, it is necessary for national security. Take for instance that at least two, possibly more Norsemen are at this very moment training known terrorists in the ways that we operate."

"Oh yeah." the President remembered that now "By the way what are we doing to stop that situation from continuing?"

Fitzwallace took over "Well Mr. President, we have a plan that we wish to discuss with you." he began passing out files to the others. "We are calling this mission 'Thor's Hammer'. As you can see sir the plan is to have two Apache helicopters fly cover for two Black hawk helicopters filled with two special forces teams."
"Who?" asked Leo

"Army Delta Force." Fitzwallace told him "The best we have, under cover of night we fly to a position of five kilometers north of the camp and the teams will then head out on foot to the base. The two Apache helicopters will then come in low and fire sidewinders and use Vulcan mini-guns on the encampment, then the two squads of Delta's will then move in and secure the base. Capture or kill the two Norsemen and then return to the Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier."

"How long from the time the two teams hit the ground till the time that they are back on the Kitty Hawk?" Leo asked looking at the recon photos.

"We figure three hours to do the lot." Fitzwallace told them confidently "All we need is your go-ahead Mr. President."

Jed sat back in his chair thinking. It was an odious responsibility to order his men into battle. Worse yet to order his people to invade another country's sovereign territory and kill its citizens. Still he had the responsibility of keeping American citizens safe and free from harm. Jed knew that he had to make the very worst decisions sometimes to keep them safe. Still the price to him personally was always a bitter thing to swallow, not to mention to live with. But then again, no one said that being President of the United States was going to be easy. Throwing an eye to Leo, he received an encouraging nod. Glad not for the first time that the room was dim, he spoke.

"Do it."

Standing up Fitzwallace headed for the secure phone to the pentagon.

"We have approval, set the time table for 'Thor's Hammer' immediately. Standby for my confirmation order. "

Jed turned back to the FBI director "How much could the Norsemen sell this nuclear material for?"

"Well sir that depends."

"On what?"

"Well sir if they just sell them the materials, I'd say oh…seventy perhaps eighty million dollars. Now if they make the devices, even a small device, say a suitcase bomb. Well that could easily go for one hundred million dollars per device."

"So who do you think is going to buy them?" Leo asked the director

"We have a few potential customers." The director admitted "First there is the MFM themselves. They could possibly afford one small device, it is a small group but they do have major capital backing them up. Mostly from oil sales from Iran, they also have a very successful operation that poses as a charitable organization to help needy children. However the money ends up in the coffers of the MFM. After them you have all the usual suspects. The Syrians themselves, the Iranians, possibly the Saudi's. Then there is always the possibility that they will sell them to the North Koreans, I'm sure that Pakistan would not mind having a small device as a suitcase bomb. Still we have one thing going for us."

"What is that?" Jed asked his mind boggling at the possible ramifications if one of those countries got their hands on such a device.

"Well Mr. President, they didn't steal weapons grade materials. What the Norsemen have is Americium 123. They will have to process that material to be able to change it into weapons grade materials. The Norsemen don't have access to the machinery."

Fitzwallace approached the President "Mr. President, we are awaiting your final go to commence operations."

"Go." The president said simply

Fitzwallace retrieved the phone to relay the order as Leo spoke to the agency director.

"So what do you think that Puppet Master is up to now?"

"We think that she has gone into complete hiding, and is going to stay under for quite awhile. She has no one and nothing left."

"Is this a feeling that is shared by everyone?" The President asked

The agency director and the FBI director looked at each other, then answered

"Well, Control of Sanctuary thinks we are wrong." The FBI director admitted

Leo threw a look to the President and then asked "So what does he think is going on?"

The agency director shook his head "He is wrong."

"I didn't ask that." Leo told the man "What does he think."

Sighing the agency director admitted to them "Control thinks that this has all been orchestrated by Puppet Master. Not the Archangel situation, he believes that the Archangel worked on his own. However he believes that Puppet Master has had other plans in the works for years on how to take over the country and possibly the world." Shaking his head the director laughed "This is really James Bond thinking that Control is spouting. He doesn't even know how she is going to do it, if it were even possible of doing. He has been after us to contact Archangel and to bring him in to review the information."

"Why Archangel?" Asked the President

The agency director shrugged "Control thinks that Archangel can walk on water. He keeps boasting that Archangel is and probably always will be the greatest agent that we've ever had."

"And you don't agree." Put in Leo, thinking that the director wasn't giving credit where credit was due.

"Archangel was good, I'll grant you that. However I have at least two dozen agents who are better than Archangel ever dreamt of becoming. Besides that, I don't think that Archangel is too stable, mentally I mean. He hasn't been since 1999."

President Bartlet stared at the man intensely "What happened in 1999?" he asked

The agency director snorted "The man got himself captured by Bulgarian secret police. He was taken to one of their prisons and held there for two months. During which he was tortured to try and obtain contact names that were in place in Europe. Archangel held out for two months and then broke and gave out the names." The agency director shook his head "You see Mr. President, the man broke. No agent worth their weight would ever break like that and give out names of Sanctuary contacts. All of whom were rounded up by the Bulgarian secret police and either killed or jailed."

Leo shook his head "I don't agree with you." he told the director "Every man has his limits, that Archangel held out so long is a credit to him."

"How did he get out of prison?" The president asked curiously wondering if he had judged Archangel wrong. He'd felt as Control had felt, that Archangel was the best in the business. There was something in his eyes, a force of presence that seemed to radiate from Archangel.

"Actually I don't know Mr. President." The agency director admitted "I'm assuming that Puppet Master sent in a recovery team and extracted him from the prison before he could do any more damage." The director waved it off "Anyway, Archangel is no 007, never was, never will be, he was an above average agent, nothing more." The director told them dismissing Archangel altogether.

Nodding the President turned to Fitzwallace "Where are we?"

Fitzwallace checked the large clock on the wall "It is now eleven forty-five p.m. in Syria, our time table is for a midnight start and the operation will be done by three a.m. their time."

The president lifted his wristwatch and set it to the time as was on the clock.

"Okay gentlemen, we meet again here in three hours. Hopefully for some good news." The president stood as the others came to attention.

"Okay Leo, what's next."

The others watched as the president and the chief of staff walked out of the room.

"Well Mr. President, you have that meeting with the post master general."

"Oh no not again."

Somewhere over the desert of Syria

12:30 a.m.

Thirty-one year old Major Simon Ellis of Cleveland Ohio stared intently at his map once again. He hadn't gotten so far in the Army without checking and double and some times even triple checking every detail of an operation. Looking up he saw that his men all were sitting silently and checking over their weapons, to make sure that they were completely operational.

"They're good men." he thought to himself "Best team a man could ask for." Checking the drop zone on the map again, he began to trace the route they would be taking for Hotel Terror, as the men had named it.

"Major?" The co-pilot called over to him on comms

"Yes"

"We reach landing zone in four minutes."

"Roger" Looking over at his men, who were now all staring back at him he called out loudly over the din of the helicopter blades

"Four minutes! Get set." he told them as he began to gather his own gear.

The helicopters were now flying very low, perhaps just fifty feet over the cold desert.

"One minute!" Major Ellis called out to them again as he put away the most precious part of his gear, the picture of his wife and three month old son, who he had yet to see.

"Well that will change after this mission." he thought to himself knowing that he was going on leave to help move his new family to base housing.

The helicopters were now hovering over the ground about twenty-five feet up.

"Throw out the ropes." Ellis called out to his men

The quick repelling lines were thrown out and now the men just waited for the go ahead order.

"This is Hammer-one to Home, awaiting final confirmation." The pilot called over the radio

Suddenly alarm warnings began to sound in the cockpit of the helicopter.

"WE'VE BEEN PAINTED!" Yelled out the co-pilot

"WHAT, where from?" The pilot demanded

A white tail began to stream towards the helicopter.

"Missile incoming!" yelled the co-pilot "Two o'clock!"

The pilot pulled up on the stick and called out "Abort, Abort, it's a…"

Thirty-one year old Major Simon Ellis stared open mouth at the missile that was now bearing down on them.

"But I never even met my son…" He thought as the missile hit his helicopter

The other helicopters immediately pulled up and gained as much altitude as possible as more missiles flew in their direction.

"This is Hammer-Two to Home, Hammer-one is down, I say again Hammer-One is down." he called out as he dodged another missile.

"Hammer-Two can you see Hammer-One?"

"That's affirm Home, Hammer-One took a direct hit from a side-winder. She is on the deck and in flames."

"Can you see any survivors?"

"Negative Home, we didn't have a chance to recon. We are still taking incoming."

"Dodge to Port!" The co-pilot called out.

Without a second thought the pilot swerved to his left as another missile flew past them.

"This is home to Hammer-Two and Apaches, abort, I say again, abort. Come home."

"That's affirm home, we are bugging out."

It was a grim faced Admiral Fitzwallace that entered the Oval office. It had been a trap, although how the MFM had learned of their operations was a complete mystery. It did not negate the fact that US military had just been out thought, and out right spanked. That fact rankled the Admiral even more. Now came the hard part, telling the President. In his long military career and his stint as chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Fitz had never met a man like Josiah Bartlet. The man was brilliant, in fact Fitz had never met a man with more brains than Josiah Bartlet. In the beginning, Fitz had his doubts about the man, whether or not he would have the stomach to do what sometimes had to be done. He had been wrong about that, and in the five years that he had known the President, Fitz had come to respect him.

Fitz waited while Charlie Young went into the Oval office to see if the President was free. The young black man returned and smiled at him.

"The President is ready to see you now Admiral."

"Thank you Charlie."

The President looked up from the file he was reading and took off his glasses.

"I thought you said three hours, Fitz."

"There has been a complication sir."

Leo stared at the Admiral "What happened Fitz?" he asked nervously as he took in the Admiral's face and the set of his jaw.

"It was a trap, Mr. President." Fitz began his report "As discussed, two Black Hawks went in first to drop the delta team and then to attack the terrorist compound itself."

The President sat up very attentively now, "So what happened."

Fitz took a deep breath and began "Mr. President the first chopper went in and was about to deploy it's team when they came under fire from shoulder mounted missiles. The first helo was hit and went down hard. The other Black hawk and the two apaches had to retreat as they also came under fire. We were unable to determine if any of the first helo's passengers survived."

"So, for all we know, those men on the first helicopter are all alive and in the hands of the MFM."

Fitz nodded "Yes Mr. President that is a possibility. Or, that all hands were lost before the Black hawk went down. We just don't know as yet."

"What are we doing to find out?" Leo asked the admiral

"We are waiting for word from some sources, especially the one source that we have in place at the MFM encampment. They will try and let us know what is going on with the commandos."

"So how did they find out about the raid?" The President asked

"I don't know sir." Fitz admitted to him "This might just be something new that they have learned from their new instructors."

"So what do we do now?" Bartlet asked aloud

"We wait sir." Fitz told him "We wait and see what intel we can gather from our sources. See if they can tell us what went wrong. Also if they can alert us about the condition of our troops."
"I want those answers quick Fitz." The President ordered "If any of our people are still alive, I don't want them in MFM hands. I want them back home. Take this time while we are waiting to come up with some contingency plans."

"Very good Mr. President."

After the Admiral departed, Jed stood up from his chair and began to pace around the room. Cursing the rotten luck and cursing those men who had decided to train their enemy with the secrets that had been taught to them.

"Damn it Leo." Jed fumed "What do we do now!"

Leo had seen the President in this mood many times in the past. Leo also knew that while he was damn mad as well, his job at the moment was to be the voice of reason. No matter how much he hated it, no matter how much he wanted to strike out at something. Leo had to keep the lid on things and not let the President get too far into his own head.

"We wait Mr. President." Leo began "This is all new to us."

"What do you mean?" Jed asked his oldest friend as he poured a whiskey for himself and a tonic water for Leo.

Taking the glass Leo took a drink and explained.

"Up until now Mr. President we have dealt with covert missions yes. But we have not had to deal with the shadow world too much. That is what these people are, shadow soldiers. They play from a different rule book than the military does. As such it makes them a whole hell of a lot less predictable."

Jed shook his head drinking his scotch "So I just sit here with my thumb up my butt and do nothing. While my people are out there either dead or worse yet, being tortured."

"Yes sir" Leo agreed with the situation "That is how we play it until we have a strategy mapped out. Once we have that, we go in and get our boys back."

Jed shook his head and sat down on one of the couches in the oval office and sighed heavily.

"You know Leo." The president smiled "That day seven years ago when you came to my house and talked me into running."

"I remember it well Mr. President." Leo smiled as well

"That is the day that I should have beaten you to death."

"Yes Mr. President."

Both men laughed at the absurdity of it all.

It was Saturday morning and the day after Christmas as Stanley Keyworth stared at his patient curiously, wondering what had changed in Michael. Michael would not tell him anything about himself, yet a total stranger came along and got more information from Michael in a couple of hours. Than Stanley had gotten in over a month!

A well rested Michael sat across from his doctor, knowing full well what was running through the man's head.

"You want to know why, don't you."

"Yes" Stanley admitted sitting up

"Danny Concannon caught me at the exact moment that I was most pissed off, and depressed. He also had the power to make it public, unlike you who has to keep it between just us." Michael shrugged

Stanley felt a sting in his heart, 'Just between us', what would Michael say and do if he found out that the President was just as up on his sessions as the two of them were.

'Stop it Stanley' he ordered himself 'just get on with it.'

"So why were you so angry and depressed?"

Michael shifted in his seat uncomfortably "I told you about Jenny right?"

Stanley nodded in agreement "Well you told me that you were dating someone. However you never mentioned any names."

Michael shrugged "Her name is Jenny Barnes. She's a forensics pathologist, she works for the police. Anyway, just before I gave that interview, her cousin came to see me at the store."

"What did her cousin want?"

"He wanted me to stop seeing her." Michael explained "You see he is one of the people who was there when I met with the president."

"Ouch." Stanley could imagine the reaction of the cousin at finding out that the Archangel was dating his relative.

"Exactly, he said if I didn't stop seeing her. That he would tell her about me, well at least what he knows about me or guesses about me at any rate. So I decided to tell her myself, not everything of course, just the basics about my government work."

Stanley nodded sitting back, "So what was her reaction."

"About what you'd expect. Fear and a quick getaway."

"So you were pissed at that and depressed that she left at the same time."

"I was pissed with the world, Stanley."

"Why the world?" Stanley asked curiously

"Because they won't let me fade to black. Just let me disappear forever and just be Michael again." Michael explained angrily "Everyday there's an article or a news sound bite, wondering who I've killed now. Some politician or terrorist dies, and suddenly, ARCHANGEL IS ACTIVE AGAIN! It's really starting to annoy me now. I mean I haven't even touched a gun since I retired, Stanley." Michael admitted "My fondest wish is that I will never have to touch one ever again. To never hurt anyone ever again. Yet according to this mornings Washington Times, I was just in Paris and killed two red brigade members, who were planning a strike against the French President."

Stanley stared at his patient and saw that the man was becoming more and more angry with the passing seconds. This was not good, the last thing that Stanley needed was for this particular man to lose his temper.

"You need to relax." Stanley told him

"I need to crush some reporters skull." Michael retorted

Stanley nodded and stood up "Come with me."

"What?" Michael looked up confused

"Come with me."

Michael stood up and followed the doctor "Where are we going?" he asked

"Well…" Stanley began "We need to get some of this built up aggression out of you. You know release the steam a bit. I've been thinking about doing this for awhile, but I've been saving it for a time when you really needed it. I think that today is that day."

Michael shrugged but followed the doctor anyway. Taking the elevator up three levels, the two men walked down the hall and found themselves in the gym.

"You need a workout." Stanley told him as they went inside

"Stanley I work out two hours every day." Michael informed his doctor

"Really? Why?"

Without thought Michael began, "It's standard, Guardian Angels are required…"
"But you aren't one anymore remember?" Stanley reminded his patient.

Michael nodded in agreement, he really didn't know why he continued the regime. He had never really enjoyed it, and perhaps it would be better if he got a bit fat. 'There was nothing wrong with that right?' he thought to himself. Although in his heart he knew that he couldn't do that, why he didn't know, or perhaps was too scared to look too deeply into those dark thoughts. Afraid of what it might possibly mean.

"Habit I guess." Michael muttered

Stanley stopped and grabbed two sets of sweats and pushed one set into Michael's hands

"This is never going to work unless you tell me the truth." he said angrily

"I know." Michael replied guiltily "And I am trying, it just feels so unnatural."

Stanley sighed and relented, patting Michael on the shoulder "I know you are, and I know that it can't be easy to change behaviors that have been accumulated over a life time. Come on let's get changed, you can teach me some work out techniques."

The two men returned to the large gym dressed in work out gear. On one side of the room sat a large empty mat where self defense training was taught and on the other side of the room was where the nautilus equipment was kept.

"Okay…" Stanley began "Now I'm more of a jogger and racquet ball player than working out with weights. So where do we begin?"

"Stretching." Michael told him simply "Have to get the body warmed up first."

Stanley was laying down on the weight bench, his face contorted purple as he tried to move the massive weight from his chest."

"Come on, push!" Michael told him "Don't quit, don't stop, don't let that weight defeat you!"

"I can't." Stanley groaned as he felt the weight coming down on him "Help me with it."

"No, you can do it, you just have to decide to do it. Don't surrender to it, conquer it."

The weight was bearing down on him now, Stanley didn't think that he could hold the weight for another second.

"Come on man, you're not fighting!" Michael yelled at him "If you can't lift it, find another way!"

The doors to the gym opened once again and several SG teams entered ready for their twice weekly self defense class. Some were surprised to see the room already had occupants and were even more shocked to see that one of them was in trouble with too much weight, and his spotter was just standing there! Two of the SG-3 marines rushed over and took the weight off of Stanley's chest. The doctor dropped his arms and began to pant, unable to move his arms at the moment.

"What the hell!" One of the marines looked disgustedly at Michael "You are supposed to be his spotter! You don't let the weight come down on him like that!"

"He could have done it himself." Michael told him non-pulsed, "He could have done it himself and know that there is nothing that he cannot do, if he puts his mind to accomplishing his task."

Stanley sat up and saw the angry faces of the people in the room "It's okay", he wheezed

"No it's not okay, he could have killed you."

"What is wrong with you man!" One of the Marines shoved Michael

"NO!" Stanley began, he knew that provoking Michael right now was like taking a bottle of Nitro and shaking it up.

"Don't push me." Michael replied softly stepping back

The marine raised an eyebrow and stepped forward again "Oh yeah.", He pushed Michael again

"Don't do that." Michael told him trying to walk away "I don't want to fight." Desperately trying to hold to his promise of not hurting anyone.

Another of the SG-3 marines pushed Michael back.

"I don't think you are going to have a choice."

Stanley stood between Michael and the soldiers

"Stop this now." He told the marines "Stand down!" he ordered

"What is going on in here!" Gabriel Fuentes demanded as he entered the room and saw the situation that was going on.

The marines snapped to attention "Sir."

"What is going on sergeant?" Gabriel repeated staring at the three marines.

"Sir, we were just trying to teach this man the proper way to spot someone on the bench."

Gabriel's eye opened wide "Really, well it looked to me like you were trying to pick a fight with a civilian guest."

"Sir…" Another sergeant interrupted "When we came in here, this man was on the bench. The weight was coming down on his chest, he was about to lose it. And this guy was just standing there and letting it happen. If we hadn't of come along, this man might be seriously injured or might have been killed."

Gabriel looked at Michael who stared back at him placidly, and then looked over at Stanley.

"Are you all right Dr. Keyworth?"

"I'm fine commander." Stanley rubbed his chest

"You three are dismissed." Gabriel told the marines who snapped to attention and left the room, mumbling and grumbling to themselves. Dark words of what they would do, if they ever met Michael again.

Gabe looked over to the doctor, "I'll escort you to medical, Dr. Keyworth. I want the medical people to give you a once over."

Stanley began to protest "I'm fine commander, thank you for your concern."

"I'm not taking no for an answer doctor." Gabriel informed the man "You come too Michael."

Janet smiled at her patient "Well Stanley, you are going to have some sore muscles for a few days, but other than that you're fine."

"Thanks Janet." Stanley smiled sheepishly, more embarrassed than anything else.

"Here." Daisy handed him a bottle of pills "Something to ease the pain a bit."

Janet then turned on Michael who was standing away from the others staring at the wall, lost in his own thoughts.

"And YOU!" Janet began angrily ready to rip into Michael "How could you let this happen, what were you thinking. Were you thinking?" She demanded of him.

"Wait Janet." Stanley put a restraining hand on the petite doctor and walked towards Michael

"You don't know what a spotter is, do you Michael."

Slowly Michael shook his head, ashamed that he hadn't helped the man who was trying to help him.

Knowingly Stanley continued "Because you only know one way to work out, and that is the way that you were taught, this is how you were trained. No one ever spotted you, you were taught to move the weight yourself. You said 'If you can't lift it, find another way', that is what you had to do isn't it Michael. Shift the weight to one side, or find someway to drop it without killing yourself." Finally seeing into his patients mind and finally seeing how deep the scarring really was.

Janet and Gabe looked at Michael, neither could understand how anyone could have done this to another human being. Especially to a child, and at that precise moment Janet hoped that those men and women, who did these atrocious acts against these children, burned in hell for eternity.

Daisy stared at her brother horrified "Why?" she asked

"Self reliance." Michael said simply, his mind in the past. It was locked there, the images of himself as a young boy and man trying to lift the weight himself, to shift the weight. The instructors voices in his head. The anger began to build.

"Move the weight Archangel!" Michael shouted startling the others "No one out there is going to help you when you are on mission, so no one here is going to help you now. Move the weight, don't let it defeat you, find a way or die. You count on no one but yourself, rely on no one but yourself. Trust no one but yourself and Sanctuary. Always remember, Sanctuary is life, life is Sanctuary." Michael's rage was building as he began to pace the room back and forth, his head felt as if it were about to explode. "That is how we lost Francis." Michael blurted out unable to control himself, he was trapped in his own mind, trapped into feeling emotions that were out of control, and which he was unprepared to face, "He couldn't hold up the weight either. I couldn't help him!"

Stanley motioned the others out of the room, they left reluctantly. Once outside, Daisy, Janet and Gabe listened at the door and heard the rest of the conversation.

Once they were alone Stanley began again "But you tried anyway didn't you."

"Of course I tried!" Michael yelled at Stanley "I was team leader, he was my responsibility, he was my brother."

"Why didn't they let you help him?"

"Weakness will not be tolerated." Michael snarled at him "Regular people are allowed to be weak, Guardian Angels are not. If you are weak you will die. You must be strong physically and mentally. Weakness will not be tolerated! I had to be the strong one, I had to help the others survive, but I couldn't save Francis, or Francisco, or Paul, or Margaret or any of the others. I failed and they died because I wasn't strong enough!" Michael yelled and smashed his fist into a portable x-ray machine, that exploded in a shower of sparks.

Daisy turned and walked away from the door, her tears falling, as both her husband and friend went after her.

Stanley stared at his patient, he knew that this was enough for one day. He couldn't push Michael too far, he was becoming violent. He didn't want Michael regressing into his head too much and he especially didn't want Michael reliving those events.

"Okay Michael, calm down." Stanley began gently

"But you could have…"

"But I didn't, I'm perfectly fine. I'll be sore for awhile but that is it. Now come on Michael, let's do some of those relaxation techniques that we've been working on." Stanley coaxed him slowly. Bit by bit he backed Michael out his dark thoughts and back into the present.

Michael grabbed his throbbing head, "Oh God, Stanley, will it ever end?"

Stanley nodded and patted Michael's shoulder "It will end, not today or tomorrow, but I promise you Michael. It will end, and I'll stay with you until it does." Stanley promised realizing the commitment that he just made to this man.

Chapter 15: Interludes 3

It was five days later, New Years Day, that SG-1 sat in Daniel and Sam's living room arguing over the Notre Dame Vs. Michigan football game. Half full soda and beer bottles sat on the table as well as several empty pizza boxes as the battle raged on.

"FUMBLE!" Jack yelled at the screen "How the hell can you call that a fumble, the ball was dead."

"In your dreams Jack." Daniel shot back "That was a great call by the ref, Notre Dame has the ball back now."

Jack stared at his best friend "No way Notre Dame wins this one." He announced "Michigan has that new kid Castlebeck, and that kid's got a rocket launcher for an arm."

"That doesn't help any if he keeps getting sacked." Daniel pointed out as Sam waddled into the room wearing an oversized Notre Dame sweatshirt.

Jack took one look at his former and very pregnant 2IC "Nope, uh uh, not happening. No way are you wearing that sweatshirt here and now." he announced

"Why not?" Sam asked as she settled herself next to Daniel "It's my alma mater."

Jack's head popped up, "I thought that you went to MIT?"

Sam nodded "I did my masters and PHD work at MIT but I got my bachelor's from Notre Dame. Go Irish!" Suddenly Sam grabbed her stomach "OH!"

Daniel instantly turned to Sam "What's wrong?"

Sam stared wildly around her as the group began to surround her "UH, Daniel I think it's time." She announced a panicked feeling coming over her. 'I'm not ready to be a mother!' she thought wildly to herself.

"Now?" Daniel jumped about five feet into the air as if scalded

"Yes now!" Sam moaned as the very first contraction hit her "Oh shit!"

The two doctors in the group came forward and began to check Sam over. Then help Sam stand up.

"It's okay Sam." Janet reassured her "We have plenty of time. Let's get you to the hospital."

"If this is only the beginning, then someone get me some morphine!" Sam screamed as another contraction hit her

"I'll get the car." Jack volunteered, excited that the baby was coming

"No." Daisy pointed to Daniel who was standing frozen into position with his mouth opening and closing without making a sound.

"Gabe can get the car, you take care of Daniel."

Jack grabbed his friends arm as Gabe ran out the door and to the car, Jack led Daniel towards the door "Come on Danny boy, time to become a daddy."

"Someone call my father." Sam called out

"I shall see to it Samantha Jackson." Teal'c promised

As the group began getting into cars Gabe turned to Jack "Some roads are snowed in, we can't get to Air Force academy hospital."

Jack helped Sam into the back and got in front while Daniel and Janet tried to make her as comfortable as possible.

"Then let's get to Colorado Springs general as fast as we can." Jack ordered

"On our way." Gabe pulled out of the driveway handing his cell phone to Jack "Do me a favor, call my house. Chun-li will be mighty pissed off if he misses the birth."

Jack dialed the phone "Why would he be pissed?"

Gabe shrugged as he carefully negotiated a turn on the icy road "Daniel is Tanaka clan; Sam is his wife, so she is Tanaka clan…"

"So the baby will be Tanaka clan as well." Jack finished understanding

"That's about it." Gabe agreed "Chun-li lives for this type of thing, he loves being there when a baby enters the world. Especially if it is a Tanaka." Gabe added with a wry chuckle

"Jack" Sam called from the backseat "Call Jake too please."

"Sure, sure" Jack made the necessary calls and spoke to Jake

"You are joking right!" Jack asked on the phone, and shook his head "Okay" he began "This twin thing is getting really freaky…Yeah we'll meet you there."

"What?" Sam asked through gritted teeth

Jack chuckled shaking his head "Mira went into labor fifteen minutes ago, just about the exact same time as you did Sam. They are heading to the hospital now."

Gabe looked at Jack "Really?"

"Yeah."

"That is just freaky."

"I know."

Another contraction hit Sam "Can we stop talking about this being freaky and get me to the fucking hospital!" She demanded

"Breathe Sam." Daniel tried to calm his wife down

"You breathe, I WANT MORPHINE!" Sam yelled at him

Jenny sat with a bowl of popcorn and tissues as she watched her favorite show on DVD. For Christmas, Michael had given her the entire 'Friends' DVD collection, all eight seasons, and so far she had spent her time re-watching her favorite episodes. Grabbing a tissue, she dabbed at her eyes as Chandler pulled out a ring and asked Monica to marry him, when Michael walked into the room.

"Do you cry every time you watch that episode?" he asked stroking Jenny's hair "I mean this is what the third time since yesterday you've watched it and you have cried every time."

"I love this episode." Jenny admitted as she laid her head on Michael's chest, comforted by the steady sound of his heartbeat.

"It's so romantic, thinking that he had lost her, then the way he asked her." Jenny continued "He loves her so much."

Michael didn't understand it, but didn't say anything to contradict Jenny. As long as she enjoyed it, that was all that mattered to him.

Jenny looked up at Michael, "Don't you ever cry?" she asked him

"No" he said simply

"Never?" Jenny asked amazed staring at Michael

"No" Michael shrugged

The episode ended and Jenny switched the television off, "Why not?"

"I don't know." Michael thought about it for a moment "I used to be able to cry, but I haven't for a long time now."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, I haven't thought about it for years." Michael admitted

"You feel sad though right?"

Michael smiled and kissed Jenny's forehead "Of course I feel sad at times, happy, all the emotions. It's just that I can't cry."

Continuing to stare at Michael, she had to know, "Did you cry as a child?"

"All the time." Michael admitted as Jenny's cell phone rang

Jenny knew that she was going to have to bring this subject up again later. Jenny didn't like it that Michael had said 'can't' and not 'don't'. It made it sound as if the problem were physical and not emotional. Picking up her phone she looked at the caller ID.

"Hi Paulie." Jenny smiled, then got excited "Really! Now! Okay, okay we are on our way." Hanging up Jenny turned to Michael.

"Mira has just gone into labor." running Jenny grabbed her coat "We have to get to the hospital."

Jacob Carter Sr. sat behind his desk as he read the latest reports on the ship's status. It seemed a bit strange to him to have an inter-galactic embassy on a captured war ship. Then again, nothing was the same anymore since he found out about the stargate. He was just reading about the ship's battle readiness when his assistant ran into the room.

"Mr. Ambassador."

"Yes Lila?" Jacob looked up

"It's time sir."

"Time?" Jacob asked confused

"Both your daughter and daughter in-law have gone into labor."

"WHAT!" Jacob shot out of his chair "When?"

"About thirty minutes ago, Sir, there will be a car waiting to take you to the hospital when you get to the SGC." Lila announced happy for the Ambassador "Imagine it sir, both your new grandchildren are going to be born today!"

Jacob hurried out of the room and towards his quarters to get changed into civilian clothes. Jacob had not been there when his other grandchildren had been born. He had been in Germany and in Japan respectively when his oldest son's children had been born. As for the other two grandchildren, well he hadn't spoken to his youngest son in over ten years and had no idea that Jake had even been married much less have two children. Now Jake's third child and his only daughter's first child was about to be born, and there was nothing that was going to keep him from being there this time.

Michael sat apart from the others that had arrived at the hospital. He didn't feel like he belonged with this group, they were all laughing and telling stories. Guessing about the babies about to be born, their sexes, size and weight. Even what names the parents had chosen for their children. Michael couldn't bring himself to join in, he was a stranger to these people. He felt like he was just an intrusion on this happy event. Besides, it bought back too many memories for him. Michael began to wonder what it would have been like if he had in fact become a father himself. What if Daniella had lived, would they still be together? His son would have been going on twelve years old now. Michael stopped his thoughts from going in that direction. It didn't do to dwell on that particular part of his past. Michael knew that he had to live for the future, hopefully a future with Jenny. He knew that Daniella would understand that he had moved on with this life. Daniella would probably have approved of Jenny if they had ever met in person. Michael stared across at Jenny who was sitting and laughing with her friends and family. Their relationship was something that Michael had never experienced. They had been together now over two months, they spent as much time as possible together. Yet Jenny had never stayed the night at his place, nor he at hers. They had some sexual fun, still Michael had yet to see her naked, he had yet to make love to her. Michael didn't really understand why she wanted to wait, it was after all just sex, the fun part of any relationship. Yet to Jenny it held a deeper meaning than just a physical act, Jenny said that she wanted it to be special. Staring at her now, Michael knew that he could wait for her to be ready. Perhaps he would learn what it was that Jenny was talking about. Hopefully feel what she felt about it as well. Michael sat up as George Hammond sat down next to him.

"Coffee?" he asked hold out a steaming cup.

"Thank you." Michael took the cup

"You looked like you were having some deep thoughts." George commented, hoping to finally have a chance to talk to his son with no one to interrupt.

"Just remembering the past." Michael told him "I was married once you know."

"Really?" George acted surprised

"Yes…" Michael nodded staring at his cup "Long time ago. Her name was Daniella, we met and lived in Paris."

"Was?"

"Yes, she was murdered. Her and my unborn son." Michael sipped his coffee oblivious to George Hammonds stare "All of this…" Michael motioned around the room at all the excited people, "It makes me wonder if I would have been a good father. It makes me wonder about my father." Michael admitted

George coughed uncomfortably and shifted in his chair "What does it make you wonder?" he asked

Michael shrugged "Just… what kind of man was he, I mean I know he was a military man. I know nothing else though, I wonder if he was in a room like this when I was born." he said looking around the room.

George looked around as well "I'm sure that he was. Probably bragging to all his friends, handing out cigars to anyone and everyone." he said remembering how he had ran up and down the corridors of Air Force academy hospital passing out those cigars. "What do you remember about your parents?" George asked his son

Michael thought about it for a moment "I remember feeling safe." he told the general "Loved, other than that I just remember bits and pieces. Flashes, that are gone as fast as they come. I don't even remember what they looked like. Just quick flashes that are here and gone in an instant." Michael snapped his fingers.

George nodded in understanding, after all it had been thirty years since his son had laid eyes on his father, and he had only been three years old at the time. Thirty years, a head full of hair, and about thirty pounds ago to boot. George at thirty would never have recognized George at sixty.

"You know son, you could ask the President to find your parents for you, you know." George pointed out gently

Michael chuckled, not a very nice laugh George thought

"I've thought of that." Michael admitted, then shrugged his shoulders "But I always stop myself from making the call. I mean who would want someone like me for a son." Looking at the general he continued "After all, right now I am not the picture of perfect mental health. Takes most of what I got just to hang on right now. Just to keep my promise of not beating the crap out of people who annoy me, is hard enough."

George nodded in understanding, Stanley Keyworth had been right. Michael was not ready to know about him and the rest of the family, but perhaps in time he would be ready.

"Well perhaps one day soon, when you got your act together."

"Maybe." Michael agreed "Maybe."

George decided to change the subject to something else.

"So you are dating Dr. Barnes?" he asked a smile on his face

"Yes" Michael gave a genuine smile "The one bright spot in my life."

"She seems to be a very nice girl."

Michael smiled as he stared at her, "Jenny is sweetness itself. I'd do anything for her."

Daisy stared across the room at her father and her estranged brother. It was nice to see them talking to each other, although Daisy was dying to know just what they were talking about. Daisy had been walking around on pins and needles since the incident in the weight room. She had so many questions that she wanted to ask Michael, things that she wanted to tell him and share with him. To tell him that he had never been forgotten, not after all the time that he'd been gone. To tell him that it was okay if he wasn't the strongest, or the best, that they loved him anyway. Suddenly Daisy felt a pair of arms encircle her lovingly.

"What are you thinking about with such concentration?" Gabe asked his wife

"Just that they are finally talking." Daisy motioned with her chin to the two men still talking

Gabe looked over, "You know it's going to be okay, right?"

"Dear God, I hope so." Daisy sent up a silent prayer

Jacob Carter Sr. entered the waiting room and found it full of his friends and family. Spotting Jack and Janet first he went to them. Jack stood up as Janet gently rocked the twins in their stroller, both fast asleep.

"Hey Dad!" Jack clapped the man on the back "Great that you made it."

"Wasn't missing this one Jack." Jacob told them "Not for anything in the world. So how are they?"

Jack shrugged "Both ladies are in active labor, and now it is just the sit here and wait for good news time. Hopefully it won't take too much longer, but hey who knows."

Jacob nodded his head nervously "Yeah, who knows." he said absently worrying about his only daughter and his daughter-in-law.

"Come on Jacob, sit down and have some coffee." Jack led the general to a seat and pressed a coffee cup into his hands "Everything is going to be fine."

Sipping the coffee Jacob smiled for the first time "I'm sure that you're right Jack."

The hours passed slowly with no news from either woman in labor. Most of the time spent telling stories and having a few laughs, to break up the tension. It was past ten that night and nearly 12 hours of waiting when both Daniel and Jake walked into the waiting room. Both men still wearing their surgical scrubs that they had been given. Jacob was out of his seat in a flash staring at his sons.

"Well?" he asked nervously

Daniel smiled and sat down and grabbed a cup of coffee and drank it quickly. Finally looking up he smiled exhaustedly at his friends and family.

"Born at 10:21 pm, weighing 7lbs 3ozs, Samantha Celeste Jackson. Sam is now sleeping peacefully."

"A girl!" Jack slapped his friends shoulder "That's wonderful." happy that everything had gone so well.

"Yes it is." Jake agreed staring at his father who was staring back at him "Also born at 10:21 pm, also weighing in at 7lbs 3ozs, Evelyn Maria Carter. Miranda is also sleeping now."

Jacob whooped and hugged both of his sons. Tears of joy starting to fall.

Jack and Janet stared at their friends "They were born at the same time and the exact same weight?" Jack asked dumbfounded

Daniel smiled, feeling happier than he ever thought was possible. Happier and more scared than he ever been in his life. Imagine, him, Daniel Melbourne Jackson, was now responsible for a tiny human life. He could only hope that he was ready for the responsibility. He only wished that his own parents had lived to see this day.

"Wait till you see them." Daniel told them "They are identical."

"Almost identical." Jake corrected him

"Almost?" Jacob asked excitedly already to see his new grandchildren

"Yeah." Daniel admitted "Sam Jr. has dark black hair and blue eyes."

"And, little Evelyn has blonde hair and blue eyes." Jake finished

"Can we see them yet?" Josie asked excitedly, already itching to meet her new nieces.

"Yes we can." Jake smiled and led the way

"They're cousins, identical cousins." Jack sang the old Patty Duke show theme. Janet laughed as they made their way to the viewing area.

Two pink blankets held the two newborn girls, both of whom were already asleep. Gabe stared at the two tiny bundles shaking his head in amused wonderment.

"They do look exactly alike."

"Freaky." Jack whispered into his friends ear

"Yeah." Gabe agreed, then smiled "But in a good way." he added

"You're right about that." Jack agreed with his friend.

"Aw, they are so cute." Jenny smiled at her two new cousins

Jack threw his arm around his friend "So Sammy Jr.?"

Daniel shrugged "Well, men name their children after themselves all the time. Why not women?"

"I see your point." Jack admitted "And I couldn't think of a better role model for her." He added patting his friends shoulder.

"They're beautiful." Jacob smiled putting his arm around his son "Evelyn huh."

Jacob Jr. smiled "Yeah, Miranda insisted naming her after mom." he admitted

"Your mother would have been proud." Jacob told his son "Little Sammy and Evie. My two new little angels."

Jack stared at his friend "So there were no problems with the delivery?" he asked Daniel

"None." Daniel smiled "But I think that Sam joined the wrong service." he told the others as he stared at his daughter.

"Why?" Janet asked confused

"Well, she was cussing like a sailor the whole time." Daniel laughed as did everyone else.

George Hammond laughed and patted the two new fathers on the shoulder "Well everyone this calls for a celebration. I have been saving a few bottles of champagne at my place and some very fine Cuban cigars that I got from a friend."

The impromptu party was going on past midnight. After the champagne had been drunk, several cases of beer were opened as well. Cigars had been passed out to all the men and more stories were being told. Again Michael stood away from the others, he had accepted the champagne, but had not drank any of it. Placing it on the table untouched he lit his cigar. Jenny excused herself from the others and went to find him.

"Not drinking?" she asked finding Michael staring out the window in the den.

Michael smiled "You know I don't drink."

"Never?"

"Never, it impairs the senses. I don't like not being in control." he admitted

Jenny shrugged and looked at the others, who were all partying and having a good time, and yet here was Michael staying away from that and not enjoying himself. "I know you don't like crowds of people." Looking back at Michael "We can leave if you want."

"No." Michael shook his head "You are having fun."

"But you're not." Jenny laid her head on Michael's chest, wishing that Michael could just enjoy this night.

"I'm fine." Michael smiled hugging Jenny to his chest "It's just that I don't really know anyone here."

"Well I can fix that." Jenny smiled at him "Come on." Jenny tried to coax him

Michael smiled, he could not say no to Jenny. Turning to crush out the cigar, Michael's eye was caught by the fireplace mantel. More specifically, he was caught by the model plane that was sitting on it. As if in a trance Michael moved to the plane, and picked it up. His mind in the past, an old memory was bubbling up to the surface of his mind.

"Michael?" Jenny asked confused as Michael picked up the toy

"Look daddy, mommy bought it for me." He remembered a small boy holding up the toy to show his father

"Wow, a real live A-1 intruder." His father smiled at him marveling at the plane.

George Hammond entered the room with Jack both men were drunk and laughing at some joke that Jack had just told the general.

Still lost in his memories Michael spoke, surprising Jenny

"Yes daddy, one day I'll drive one."

Drunkenly George Hammond smiled "You mean fly it son." he said remembering that day as well.

Michael spun around dropping the plane, staring at George Hammond. However, Michael saw a younger George Hammond a thirty year younger George Hammond. Suddenly he knew.

"Yes daddy, I mean fly it." Michael whispered realizing who he was speaking to.

Emotions beginning to overwhelm him. Memories began to pile one on top of the other, a tidal wave of conflicting emotions drowning him. He had to get out, he couldn't breathe!

George Hammond stared at his son in horror, realizing what he had just done. George went from drunk to sober in two seconds flat.

"Michael…" He began as Jenny and Jack looked on confused

"No, it can't be you!" Michael grabbed at his chest as he felt it begin constricting, feeling as if he was about to have a heart attack.

"Yes Michael, it is me." George told his son, trying to move towards him "Please let me explain…" Daisy walked into the room wondering where her father had gone.
Seeing Daisy, set off a whole set of new images in his head, those of his three sisters, "DAISY! JANICE, FELICIA." The memories were now on top of him, breathing was becoming more and more difficult. Michael backed away from his father as more of the group entered the room wondering about the raised voices.

"Michael?" Daisy asked confused placing a hand on his arm

"NO!" Michael moved away from Daisy as if he'd just been burned "MY FATHER IS DEAD! MY SISTERS ARE DEAD!" Michael screamed out of control.

"No Michael." George Hammond told him calmly and evenly "I am not dead. Your sisters are not dead."

Michael had to get out of here, he couldn't breathe. Jenny was staring at the two men confused, wondering what was going on. Why was Michael freaking out!

"Michael…" George began again but it was too late.

Spinning on a dime, Michael was gone out the veranda doors.

Jenny tried to follow, but Michael was much too fast. Michael was already in the car revving the engine and pulling out at full speed before she ever got to the driveway. George Hammond and his daughter right behind her.

Daisy still confused turned to her father "Daddy, what the hell just happened!" she asked

"Michael remembered." George told her simply "That damn plane, Michael remembered, and he wasn't ready for it."

"Oh my God." Daisy covered her mouth as Gabe reached her side

"Remembered what?" Jenny asked both confused and scared for Michael, she had never seen Michael in this condition. She had never seen Michael so freaked out before.

George turned to the young woman "He remembered that I am his father." he told her

Jenny gasped staring at the man before her "You…?" Jenny couldn't believe it.

"Daddy, we have to call Stanley. Tell him what has happened!" Daisy warned, wondering what her brother was doing at this very moment. More frightened of what he might do now.

A very worried Tess, moved to the father and daughter. This had not been a part of the plan, although she knew that God had his own reasons for wanting Michael to remember now.

"I've already called Dr. Keyworth and told him. He's on his way to Michael's now. He said to leave it to him, that he would deal with Michael."

"I have to go to him." Jenny began to move, to try and go after Michael.

"No baby." Tess wrapped her arms around Jenny "Let Dr. Keyworth deal with Michael right now. You can't do anything for him at the moment."

"He needs me!" Jenny tried to pull away, her only thought to help Michael

"He will need you." Tess agreed holding onto the young woman "Not yet though. Come inside and let general Hammond explain it to you."

"Yes Jenny." George agreed, thankful at last to have Tess around "Please come inside." he led the group inside.

Michael ran into the store and flipped on the lights. Pacing back and forth, his mind was in turmoil, he was definitely stuck in the past. Stanley had warned him that this might happen, but Michael was completely unprepared for the reality of being stuck in his own past. Memory after memory crashed down upon him. His mother's face, his father's face, the faces of his three sisters, the first few days in Sanctuary, when Michael had prayed for his own death so that he could join his family. Desperately Michael reached for the phone and dialed a number he had long since memorized.

"Hello?" A woman's bright and cheery voice called out to him

"M? Is that you?" Michael asked desperately needing someone to talk to, someone who could understand what he was going through.

"Michael?" The voice responded "Why are you calling!" The woman demanded "You know that you are not supposed to contact us."

"M, please I need you, I need help!" Michael begged the woman

"I'm sorry Michael but we can't help you. You are on your own ."

Michael heard the slamming of the phone, and hung up his own. He was alone now, truly alone. He had thought that perhaps…Turning Michael ran out of the store, he needed air.

The woman held her hand on the receiver that she has just slammed, thoughts rushing through her head. There was a time that there was nothing that she wouldn't have done for the man on the other end of the phone. That however was long ago, and yet she felt guilty slamming the phone down on the man.

"Mommy?" a young voice asked confused

Turning the woman smiled, and picked up her child into her arms "It's okay baby." she kissed her baby, "Everything is okay."

"So that is the whole story." George finished and stared at Jenny

Jenny shook her head still in shock, "I just can't believe it, you are Michael's father! Still why would Michael freak out so badly?" she asked still confused on that one point. "I would have thought that this would make Michael happy."

Daisy took the other woman's hand "Michael wasn't ready for the truth. Stanley Keyworth, Michael's therapist said that it might cause a lot of problems if he knew too soon. We have been trying to break it slowly, little by little, but tonight Michael remembered. So Stanley's greatest fear for Michael's recovery has come true."

Three of the SG-3 marines left the bar where they'd been hanging out and drinking. The men walked with their arms around each other and singing loudly and off key, laughing and joking. Suddenly one of the marines came to a halt.

"Hey isn't that the guy from the other day?" he asked his comrades spotting Michael walking quickly towards them.

"Sure as hell is!" his buddy smiled evilly, "Hey he's alone now, no Fuentes to save his ass this time. How about we teach him that lesson now?" he asked his buddies, both of whom readily agreed

Michael stalked down the street oblivious to everyone and everything around him. Bumping into people he just kept moving, his mind in turmoil. Desperately Michael tried to regain control of his out of control emotions.

"Hey buddy watch where you're going!" one man yelled out having almost been knocked down, but Michael just ignored him and kept moving forward trying desperately to out run the past.

"Still haven't learned any manners I see." The biggest of the marines blocked Michael's path

"Get out of my way." Michael said softly, but fiercely, any agent in Sanctuary hearing his tone of voice would have quickly gotten out of the Archangel's way.

"No" The three marines began to close in on Michael, as pedestrians suddenly stopped and began to watch as the man tried to move away from the three soldiers.

They closed the gap more, taunting him, pushing him, however they picked the worst time to try and taunt him. Michael wasn't having any of that today. His response was automatic, Michael saw a fist heading in his direction, and Archangel attacked. It was fast and vicious, as Archangel beat the three marines unmercifully, he snapped their bones as if they were twigs, used blows that he had been taught to severely cripple others. Michael was amazed how good it felt! To release all the anger and resentment and frustration that he had been holding back for so long now. Giving his anger free reign to do what he did best. When all three marines were on the ground, Michael stopped and realized what he had done. Staring at the three broken men on the ground Michael suddenly realized that he'd broken his promise to himself! Looking around he saw the shocked faces of the pedestrians that were on the street. All three marines were on the ground groaning in pain, Michael bent down.

"I'm sorry." He told them "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Don't move!" A voice yelled at Michael

Turning his head Michael saw two police officers with their weapons drawn slowly moving towards him.

Holding his arms out to the side Michael slowly stood up.

"I want no trouble, officers." Michael told them calmly

"Good, go ahead and search him Jim I've got you covered." The older officer told his partner

Michael felt the hand on his shoulder "Do you have any weapons on you, anything in your pockets."

"No." Michael told them truthfully as he felt the hands quickly searching him and rifling through his pockets removing his wallet.

"Well Mr. Angel what happened here." The officer demanded as he pulled out his handcuffs.

"They tried to attack me, I defended myself." Michael told them ashamed that he allowed himself to be provoked.

"Yeah right, got a little carried away huh?"

Michael felt the handcuffs snapping over his wrists as an ambulance pulled up to the scene.

"Come on, move it, you're under arrest." The officer continued to read Michael his rights as he led him to his squad car.

It was 3am when Stanley Keyworth arrived at the Hammond's home. Knocking on the door, he waited to be let in. General Hammond opened his door and seeing who it was stepped back immediately to allow the doctor to enter.

"Stanley, how is Michael?" He asked anxiously, wanting any news about his son, as the others quickly came forward as well. Jenny most anxious of all.

Stanley shook his head "I'm sorry George, but I can't find him anywhere." he told the group "I've tried the base, his home, nothing."

"He has to be somewhere in town though right?" Jenny felt her heart constricting "I mean he wouldn't just leave would he?", suddenly fearing that Michael was in a ditch somewhere unconscious or even de…NO, Jenny refused to even contemplate that thought.

Stanley tried his best to alleviate the families worries, when a phone rang.

Jake reached down and pulled out his cell phone "Hello." He began as he moved away "Yeah Vinny…" he began to listen to his brother in-law "Yeah it was a girl…Evelyn Maria…Yeah, doc says we can see her in the morning." Jake listened as his brother in-law continued "What? Tell me what happened." Jake listened as the nights events were described to him, "Where is he? Okay, I'm on my way." Jake hung up the phone and turned to the general and the doctor "That was my brother in-law." He began "It seems that Michael ran into a bit of a problem tonight."
"What Jake!" Jenny demanded to know her heart in her throat, wondering what could have happened. Visions of Michael being hurt amongst the very top of the list. The way that he was driving on the snowy roads was a good indication.

Jake hated to have to tell Jenny this or the Hammonds, but they had to know, "Apparently he got himself into a fight." Jake held up his hands as he saw Jenny was about to freak "He's okay, but he beat the crap out of three marines, they are in the hospital. He's been arrested and is down at the VCTF right now in a holding cell." Looking at the general, Jake shrugged helplessly, there was really nothing that he could do now that the charges had already been filed "He's going to need a lawyer George." he warned.

"Jake!" Jenny stared at her cousin "You can make it disappear, you've done it before with guys you got information from." she begged him.

Jake shook his head frustrated that he couldn't help Jenny, "I can't this time Jenny." he admitted "The assistant District Attorney was at the VCTF when Michael was bought in and has already filed charges. Once that happens it's out of my hands, you know that. You know if I could make it disappear I would."

"Can I speak to him?" Stanley asked wanting to get to his patient

Jake shook his head "He's in processing right now, he won't be able to see anyone until morning at the earliest."

"What are we going to do?" Paulie asked having remained silent until this moment, his arm wrapped around Annie, who was looking just as anxious as the Hammonds felt.

"Well I'm heading down to the station, I'm going to make sure that they don't put Michael with any of our other current guests, the last thing we need is Michael hurting one of them. Other than that, we have to wait until he is arraigned, the judge should give him bail and then we can get him out."

"We will have the bail money ready." Daisy promised "When is it going to happen?"
"He's being arraigned at 2pm tomorrow." Throwing his arm around Jenny, Jake led her to the door "Come on Jenny, let me take you home. You can see Michael in the morning." he promised, seeing the Stanley Keyworth's expression, Jake nodded "You too doc." Jake turned to Paulie "Can you bring in Dr. Keyworth with you in the morning?"

"Sure" Paulie smiled at the doctor "I'll pick you up at nine." he promised

Jake led a trembling Jenny to the car and drove off. Once away from the others, Jenny finally released the tension she had been holding in and began to cry.

Jake reached over and rubbed her shoulder "Don't you worry about a thing Jenny. Everything is going to be okay." He promised

Back at the house George Hammond reached for the phone and dialed. A tired sleepy voice picked up on the other end.

"Hello?"

"AJ, is that you?"

"George?" AJ Chedwiggen looked at his alarm clock and saw that it was just after six in the morning. He knew immediately that something was wrong, otherwise George would never call this early.

"What's wrong George."

"My son has been arrested." George began to tell the admiral all that he knew about what had happened.

AJ listened to his friend, there weren't too many details, but he realized the situation was serious.

Finally George finished "AJ, I need someone that I can trust to look out for my son."

AJ nodded in understanding, and began to think. This wasn't really a military matter, since Michael was not in the military Yet, Michael Hammond was not just anybody, he was a trained former spy and assassin. It would not do to have him in jail, who knew what would happen in there. Who might find out who he really was. Besides there were three marines involved in the case and that did make it a military matter.

"Okay George, I'll have Commander Rabb out to you immediately, see what he can do for your son. I'll clear it with the White House, but I'm sure that they don't want your son locked up either. Let me go and I'll get in touch with my people immediately."

"Thank you AJ, I knew that I could count on you." George breathed a sigh of relief

Chedwiggen hung up the phone and picked it up instantly and dialed the number to his officer.

"Hello?" A bright cheery voice called out

"Sarah, is Harm there?"

"Admiral?" Sarah McKenzie automatically pulled her robe tighter, she knew of course that the Admiral knew about her relationship with Harm. Still it was disconcerting for him to call at this hour of the morning.

"Good morning sir, and yes, he is here. Just one moment sir." Sarah held out the phone to Harm who was sipping his first cup of coffee.

Taking the phone Harm put down the cup "Good morning Admiral."

"Harm…" Chedwiggen began "We have a situation at Colorado Springs."

"What sort of situation sir?" Harm pulled out his note pad and began to write down the information, nodding occasionally and a 'Yes sir' from time to time.

"So sir you want me to represent the three marines?" he asked

"No commander, I want you to represent Michael Angel."

Harms eyes bugged out as he doodled an angel holding a gun on the pad "Sir, you want me to represent the man who beat up three marines?" he questioned wondering if the Admiral had lost his mind.

"Yes, he is George Hammond's son. There is more to the story, and I can't talk about it on an open line. However, you do have the clearance to know. So tell Sarah to tell you about what happened at Cheyenne Mountain when she and I were there last. Then you will understand why it is vital that you represent this man."

"Yes sir, I was about to take Sarah to the airport anyway. She is going to Colorado Springs for a few weeks to spend with the Jackson's. I'll pack a bag and catch that plane as well."

"Very good, call me when you know anything. Oh one other thing, give me that flight information, those three marines are going to need representation as well. I'll give Bud a call and have him meet you on the plane."

Harm gave him the information and hung up the phone. Looking at Sarah he smiled.

"Well it looks like I'm going with you after all." Knowing that he hadn't been able to get leave time to go with Sarah to Colorado.

"What's up?"

"A guy named Michael Angel, got into a fight with three marines last night, and put all three in the hospital. Angel was arrested and is due to be arraigned this afternoon. The admiral wants me to represent him." Harm moved to the bedroom and began to pack a bag "He also said that you had something to tell me about your last visit to the mountain, and why it was so important to represent this guy.

Sarah was shocked and quickly dressed as she explained to Harm exactly what happened the last time she was in Colorado.

Harm sat down heavily on their bed, his jaw hanging open. You mean this guy is a Guardian Angel?" he asked

"He is the Archangel." Sarah told him "The one we've been reading about in the paper."

"Archangel." Harm whispered still shocked

Sarah stared at Harm for a moment "Harm? Are you okay?" she asked concerned

Snapping out of it Harm nodded "Fine, just surprised as hell, and I can see now why the admiral doesn't want this guy in jail. Who knows what might come out if someone finds out who he really is." Harm stood up and began to pack faster.

It was noon before Jenny and Stanley got to see Michael. They stood outside the cell which was dark and dank and smelled of disinfectant. Michael sat with his back to them.

"Michael?" Jenny began gently going to the cell bars

"Not too close Jenny." The officer warned her "This guy is dangerous."

Jenny ignored him, knowing that Michael would never hurt her. "Michael please talk to me."

"Go away Jenny." Michael told her hollowly, ashamed at what he had done. Cursing himself for being so weak. "Are they right after all?" he had wondered all night long, "Am I nothing but the monster?"

Jenny shook her head as she stared at Michael's back, "I won't go away Michael, you know I won't. So please talk to me and tell me what happened."

"I lost control." Michael admitted painfully "I did what I swore I'd never do again."

Paulie entered the cell area at that moment and saw that Jenny was trying to talk to Michael.

"Give me the keys." Paulie ordered the officer on duty "And go get yourself a cup of coffee."

"Sir?" the officer asked confused

"Just do it, it's my responsibility." he ordered

The officer shrugged and handed the keys to his boss "You got it Loo."

Once the officer was gone, Paulie unlocked the cell door and stepped back to let Jenny in.

Jenny smiled at her cousin, grateful for his understanding, "Thanks Paulie."

Paulie smiled at his little cousin, "Anytime, come on Stanley, I'll buy you a cup of coffee."

Stanley nodded and followed the large detective. Seeing Michael, he knew that they had to talk, but that it could wait a bit. For now Michael was calm and regretful of his actions of the previous night. He could deal with Michael later, right now, Jenny is what Michael needed and not him. His time would come later when they were out of this place.

Jenny sat on the cot, reaching out she rubbed Michael's tense shoulders.

"Look at me Michael." Jenny reached around cupping Michael's chin and gently turning him to face her.

Seeing his face, Jenny knew instantly that Michael was ashamed of what he had done. Ashamed that he had freaked out so badly, ashamed that he had actually resorted to the violence that he hated so much. Jenny also realized that he was also afraid, afraid that she would think less of him. Not care for him anymore, because his dark side had shown itself once again. Jenny knew that she had to allay those fears, that she would not run again. At this precise moment Jenny had to be the stronger of the two and show Michael that he was no longer alone in the world. That she would standby him no matter what, so she chose her words carefully and began with…

"I love you Michael." She told him "And I am here, I'm not running away from you. I am here, but I have to know Michael. Do you want me here?" she asked nervously hoping that he wasn't going to ask her to leave.

The last of Michael's resolve crumbled to dust, he needed Jenny. Otherwise he might just lose his mind altogether.

"Oh God yes." Michael wrapped his arms around her "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to do it. I just lost control." Michael begged her to understand and to forgive him.

"I know." Jenny told him, holding him and stroking his hair, "I spoke with your doctor and he told me that this might happen from time to time. We will get through this together." Jenny promised "I'm not going anywhere."

Harm, Sarah and Bud Roberts exited the airport and were surprised to see that transportation was already waiting for them. Sarah smiled and hugged Daniel and then gave Gabe a hug as well. Harm and Bud both shook hands with their two friends.

"How was the flight?" Daniel asked as he loaded their bags in the back of his and Sam's SUV.

"Fine." Sarah smiled happy to see her friend once again "Hey when did you get an SUV, last time I saw you, you were driving that mustang."

Daniel shrugged "I have a family now, we needed the extra space for the baby seat."

Sarah's jaw fell "Sam had the baby!" she asked excitedly

Daniel nodded "Last night, a healthy, beautiful girl." Daniel pulled out a picture and handed it to Sarah

"Oh she's beautiful!" Sarah hugged Daniel again "I'm so happy for the both of you."

"Congratulations dad." Harm also gave Daniel a hug "So what is her name?" he asked looking at the picture that Sarah held out as Bud looked at the picture as well.

"Congratulations." Bud held out a hand

"Thanks, we named her Samantha Celeste."

"Celeste? That mean's heavenly, doesn't?" Sarah asked

"From the ancient latin, it does indeed mean heavenly, for my little angel." Daniel smiled taking back the picture and staring at it lovingly

"So when do we see her?" Sarah asked excitedly

"Soon, first we take you to my place. You and Harm are staying with us." Daniel insisted

"And you Bud are staying with me and my family." Gabe told him

"Sir, that is not necessary, a hotel is fine." Bud protested

"No way." Gabe told him in no uncertain terms, "When you guys come to town there is always a place waiting for you. You all are always welcome here for anything, and for as long as you like." he promised them, not for one moment would any of the former members of SG-13 ever forget these three officers. Or what those officers had done for them.

Bud shrugged defeated, but at the same time deeply appreciated the gesture "Well thank you sir."

"Gabe." He insisted taking Bud's bag

"Gabe" Bud smiled

"By the way Gabe." Harm interrupted "I saw that the new list for Commanders came up, congratulations on the promotion."

"Thanks, but I'm not the only one that got promoted. Sam got Capped to LtColonel."

"That's great!" Sarah smiled happy for the good fortune that was coming to her friends, it was all well deserved.

"Yeah" Gabe continued "She is also now in charge of SG-1, I'm her 2IC."

"What happened to Jack?" Harm asked "He didn't retire again did he?"

Daniel smiled and looked back as he stopped at a red light "You mean Brigadier General Jack O'Neill."

"General!" Harm asked surprised

"Yeah" Gabe smiled "General O'Neill is now too valuable to risk on missions. He's running the show at the mountain now while General Hammond is on extended emergency leave."

Daniel pulled up into his and Sam's driveway and shut off the engine.

"Let's get your things stowed away, then we can go to the hospital and see Sam."

"Bud, let's put your things in my car." Gabe told him "It's only about two miles to my house."

"Okay" Bud grabbed his bags and followed Gabe to his car.

Harm looked at his watch and saw the time "I'd love to go with you guys, but I have to get down to the VCTF and talk to my new client before he is arraigned."

Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out another set of keys "You can take the other car." he said handing Harm the keys.

"You go on." Sarah told Harm "Daniel and I can handle this. You get to the station."

"Okay, I'll see you guys at the hospital later." Kissing Sarah, Harm moved to the other car and drove off.

Daniel smiled "So how is it going between you two?"

Sarah blushed as they entered the spare bedroom "Good, wonderful." she admitted "I'm glad that I listened to you and Sam about that."

"It was obvious, you just needed a little shove in the right direction." Daniel put the garment bag in the closet.

Sarah stared at the three bags that needed to be unpacked and shook her head.

"Unpacking can wait, I have to see the baby!"

"Babies, Jake and Miranda also had a girl yesterday."

"You're kidding me right?" Sarah asked amazed

"Nope" Daniel laughed as he and Sarah got back in the SUV "Sam and Miranda went into labor at just about the same moment. Both had girls, both babies weighed the same, and were both born at the same exact minute."

"Now I know that you are kidding me!" Sarah stared at her ex-boyfriend in shock

"God's honest truth." Daniel admitted "The two girls are identical, except that little Sammy was born with Jake's dark black hair and blue eyes and little Evey was born with Sam's blonde hair and blue eyes."

"That is taking that twin thing one step too far." Sarah laughed "Evey?"

"Evelyn" Daniel explained "After Sam and Jake's mother."

"It's a beautiful name."

Sarah stared at the two tiny bundles behind the glass.

"They are identical." Sarah smiled waving at the girls "And they are beautiful, I'm so happy for you Daniel."

"Thanks." Daniel waved at his daughter who seemed to be trying to reach out towards him

"She knows you already." Sarah pointed out looking at her friend and the expression of complete devotion and love on his face staring at his daughter "And I can tell that she is going to have you wrapped around her little finger."

"She already does." Daniel admitted, looking at his watch he smiled "Let's go see Sam and Mira, they're sharing a room together. Feeding time is in fifteen minutes and you can hold the baby."

"Let's go!" Sarah told him excitedly already wanting to hold the baby

Sam and Mira were talking when Daniel and Sarah walked into the room.

"Daniel!" Sam smiled "Sarah! So good that you could come."

"Sam I'm so happy for you, I just saw little Sammy. She is adorable." She said hugging her friend then moved over to Mira.

"And Evey is a treasure." Mira hugged her as well

"Hey baby." Daniel smiled kissing his wife "How are you feeling."

"Wonderful." Sam admitted looking at the wall clock "Feeding time in ten minutes, how's the baby looking?" She asked unable to wait the ten minutes to hold her daughter in her arms again.

"Beautiful, like her mother."

Sam smiled caressing her husband's face.

"Daniel?" Mira called to him

"I'm sorry Mira." Daniel moved over to her "You look wonderful." he said kissing his sister in-law.

"Thank you. Do you know where Jake is?" She asked nervously wondering why her husband hadn't been here yet.

"Ah…About that." Daniel took a deep breath and let it out "Something happened last night. Nothing to Jake." Daniel saw the look on both women's faces, one wife's and the other the sister's face.

"After we left you two last night, General Hammond invited us to his place for a celebration…" Daniel continued to tell the two of the previous nights events.

"So Jake is at the station right now with Jenny and Stanley Keyworth, trying to get Michael out of jail."

Sarah nodded "Harm is here as well and he is going to be representing Michael."

"But Michael is not military." Sam put in worried about Jenny

"How is Jenny?" Mira asked voicing what Sam was thinking

"It's a special circumstance, we don't want anyone finding anything more about Michael than is absolutely necessary." Sarah explained

"And Jenny is holding up." Daniel told them "But everyone is worried, Mama called me this morning and told me that she had just spoken to Jenny's mother, who told her that Jenny had spent most of the night in tears. That's why both Jake and Paulie are with her. I'm sure that Jake will be here as soon as he can." he told Mira

The words were barely out of his mouth when the door reopened and Jake walked in carrying balloons with it's a girl emblazoned on them.

"Good morning ladies" Jake smiled quickly kissing his sister and moving to his wife.

"Sarah, so good to see you again." Jake hugged the woman.

"It is, and definitely a happier occasion than last time." Sarah remembered the last time she had seen the detective Captain. She and Harm and Sam had helped him track down a serial killer that had been killing military personnel. It had all ended with a mad race to Jack O'Neill's house to prevent his new born twins from being the next victims in a sick man's fantasy.

"It sure is." Jake agreed "There's my lady." Jake smiled kissing his wife

"Jake, Daniel was just telling us about Michael and Jenny…" Mira began worried about her little cousin.

"Nothing to worry about." Jake told her "Jenny is at this very moment talking with Michael. When I was leaving Harm showed up and told me that he is representing Michael. So everything is going to be okay."

"How is Jenny?" Sam asked concerned

Jake shrugged his shoulders, "Better, she was in rough shape last night. Seeing Michael though has helped."

"How is he doing?" Sarah asked

Jake shook his head and sat on the edge of Mira's bed, "Michael is in rough shape." Jake told the women and Daniel "Paulie told me that at first the guy was so ashamed of what he'd done to those guys, that he couldn't even look at Jenny. That he had broken the promise that he made to himself and was feeling very guilty."

"What promise?" Sarah asked curious

Jake shrugged "Apparently I misjudged the man." he admitted to the others "I thought that he might hurt Jenny, or someone else the first time he got pissed off at someone. But apparently, his promise to himself was never to harm another human being ever again. After what happened last night at the General's, he lost it. Paulie told me that it looked to him like Jenny was the only thing keeping him sane. He was terrified that Jenny was going to leave him." Jake shook his head sadly "You should have seen his face when he realized who George really was. Shock is not a strong enough word."

Daniel nodded in agreement "He looked like he was having a heart attack."

"Yeah." Jake agreed "I spoke to Stanley before I left. He said that Michael was probably thrown into the past. In his mind, he began to remember everything. It was like an avalanche of images suddenly exploding in his head all at once and he got trapped there. Michael couldn't get out and was stuck reliving his worst experiences." wondering what that must have been like for the man, knowing just a bit of what Michael's life had been like. Jake knew that the images flashing in Michael's mind must have been horrific "So when those three marines showed up…" Jake shrugged "They pushed and Michael pushed back with a vengeance. Some of my men showed up, saw three men on the ground busted all to hell and one man standing. So they arrested him."

"What happened to the three marines?" Mira asked worried about Michael as well, she liked him, liked him a lot. It wasn't his fault that he had become the man he had. Mira blamed the men who had taken a group of children and taught them to do unspeakable things to others. To use violence to stop violence, it was unfair to blame Michael alone for that. As she had told her husband when he admitted to her what he had done to Jenny and Michael. That Michael was a victim and not a monster. Reminding Jake that if he, himself or his beloved twin sister Sam had been just 18 months older. It might have been them that had been taken from their family. That thought had terrified Jake, and made him look at Michael in a new light. That was when he realized that Mira was right about her observations. Michael Hammond, as well as all the other children were innocent babies, who were torn from their parents and forced to become what they were. They had never known any other kind of life, except for one that was brutal and unforgiving. They were all victims of the worst kind of child abuse that Jake had ever witnessed or heard of in his long career as a police officer. He thought that he had seen it all, seen the worst that a human being could do to a defenseless child. He'd been wrong.

Jake rubbed his chin "Well between them, they have nine broken ribs, a broken collarbone, two of them have broken arms, the other guy has a broken leg. They all have concussions, one has a severely bruised kidney that they have to keep a close eye on, another has severely swollen testicles, and a bunch of other bruises." Jake shook his head amazed "From the witness statements that I've read the fight lasted about ten seconds. The one thing that is in Michael's favor is that the marines started the fight. They were drunk and apparently there had been a previous altercation at the mountain with the same marines and Michael. Both Gabe and Stanley Keyworth were there at the time and can testify to that fact." Jake smiled at the women "So you see, with Gabe and Stanley's testimony and the witness statements that he didn't start the fight. Harm can argue self defense."

"Sounds to me like it was." Sarah told them "Especially if there was a previous altercation. Does Harm know about this?"

"Yeah, he was talking to Paulie and Stanley before I left. They said something about talking to Michael and then getting Gabe's statement."

The door opened and two nurses entered the room pushing two bassinets. Both Sam and Mira sat up excitedly anxious to hold their babies.

The first nurse smiled "Samantha Jackson Jr.?"

"Here." Sam held out her arms and into them was placed the most beautiful baby that she'd ever seen. She was after all biased.

"Yours must be Evelyn Carter." the other nurse held out the child to Mira

"They look so alike." The older nurse smiled at the two mothers.

"Thanks." Sam and Mira spoke in unison

Harm finished questioning both Gabe and Dr. Keyworth and was about to head to the interrogation room to meet with his client when he spotted a familiar face.

"Well, well if it isn't detective sergeant Rafael Nunez." Harm laughed

"Harm." Nunez smiled and hugged the lawyer "It's great to see you. How's it going?"

"Good, how's your wife, ahh…don't tell me, Maggie and you're daughter Michelle."

"Great, everyone is great. Hey you in town long?"

"Few days at least." Harm admitted

"Good, you got to come by and have dinner."

"I'll do that." Harm promised

"By the way what are you doing here."

"Oh" Harm shrugged "I have a new client."

"Who?" Nunez asked

"Michael Angel, he was arrested for brawling in public." Harm shrugged, not too worried about the case. After he saw Michael Angel, he'd speak to the ADA in charge of the case. He should have the matter dropped in no time.

Rafael nodded "Well good luck with that, hey I gotta get back to work here. But don't forget, Sunday dinner, we'll have a barbeque."

"I'll bring the beers." he promised

Paulie led Harm towards the interview room "I didn't know that you knew Nunez."

"Yeah, after the last case we did together. I met him in a bar, we got to talking." Harm shrugged

Paulie stared at Harm "Nunez? In a bar?"

"I think he was looking for someone. I'd stopped in for a beer."

"Ah, that explains it." Paulie knew for a fact that Nunez hated crowds and bars.

Michael sat in the stark room, Jenny was at his side holding his hand. Just reassuring him that she was still there and not going anywhere. The door opened and Paulie walked in followed by Harm.

Looking up Michael stared at the two men, "What are you doing here." Michael asked nastily

Paulie blinked, hell he'd been nice to the guy and now he was jumping down his throat.

"Michael!" Jenny was appalled by his outburst

Michael shook his head reigning in his emotions "I'm sorry, that was very rude of me. I'm just very tired and hungry."

Paulie nodded in understanding, he would probably be the same in the man's shoes "It's okay, it's been a rough couple of days for you. I'll bring you some coffee and a sandwich."

Michael smiled at the large man "Thank you Lt. Turelli, that is very kind of you."

"It's Paulie, and don't mention it." he said closing the door behind him

Harm stared at the man across from him, pulling out a chair he sat down and began, "Mr. Angel, my name is Commander Harmon Rabb. I am going to be your attorney."

Jenny smiled pleased "Oh I'm so glad Harm, I know that you will help us."

"Commander Harmon Rabb, huh." Michael stared at the man before him "So where do we begin?"

"Tell me about what happened last week at Cheyenne Mountain with these marines and again last night." Harm began

An hour later Harm sat down with the ADA.

"Peter Holtzstein." The stocky man held out his hand

Shaking it Harm smiled "Harmon Rabb, just call me Harm."

"Pete" Holtzstein opened his file and got down to business "I've been reviewing this case, and it seems that I don't have much of one." he admitted

"No you don't." Harm agreed opening his own file and removing some papers "These are statements given by the three marines involved. They admit that they were drunk and provoked the fight. One of them admits to throwing the first punch."

"Why though?" Pete wondered aloud

"Well apparently there was an altercation at Cheyenne Mountain." Harm pulled out two more witness statements "These are statements from Naval commander Gabriel Fuentes and Dr. Stanley Keyworth. Apparently these same marines got into an argument with Michael Angel and tried to start a fight then. Mr. Angel was able to walk away that time because Commander Fuentes showed up. This time the marines were drunk and there was no one there to stop them."

Pete looked over the statements and added them to his file.

"There is no way that I get a conviction on this one. With the admission of the marines that they

started the fight, it's self defense. So I'll drop the charges on one condition."

"What's that?" Harm asked a bit leery

"Your client is obviously a very dangerous man." Pete began "I want him, before the week is out, to register his hands as lethal weapons. He does that, and the charges are dropped."

"Done." Harm readily agreed

"Well nice doing business with you Harm." The ADA smiled holding out a hand

"You too Pete." Harm shook his hand

Both men exited the room and saw that Michael Angel was sitting in a chair by Detective Nunez handcuffed to the chair. Jenny and Paulie were standing by waiting to hear the news.

Pete Holtzstein nodded to Nunez "It's okay detective, he's free to go. He just has to register his hands as lethal weapons. Otherwise the charges are dropped."

"You got it Pete." Rafael smiled and uncuffed Michael and held out a hand "No hard feelings?"

Michael smiled "You were just doing your job, I can respect that." Michael took the hand.

Jenny hugged Harm "Thank you so much."

"No problem." He shook hands with Paulie and turned to Nunez "Sunday."

"Don't forget the beer."

Harm nodded and turned to the others "Now if you will excuse me, I have to get ready for the courts-martial of those three marines."

"For what?" Michael asked

"For starting the fight." Harm told him

"What fight?" Michael asked confused

Harm stared at the man "You sure that you want it this way?" he asked

"Yeah." Michael felt guilty enough as it was without getting those men into even deeper trouble.

"Okay" Harm shrugged "I'll see what I can do. It will probably just be restriction to the base, extra duty, and a pay cut for a month."

"Okay. Thank you commander." Michael held out a hand

"Anytime." Harm shook the offered hand "Okay, now if you will all excuse me, I have to go to the hospital and see a couple of baby girls."

Jenny smiled relieved that it was all over "Come on Michael I'll take you home, you need food and rest."

Harm stopped at the hospital gift shop and picked up two bouquets of flowers for the new mothers and headed up. Opening the door to the room, Harm was surprised to see that it was chock full of people.
"Harmon!" Mama Turelli smiled at the tall man "It is so nice to see you again."

Harm smiled as the small woman hugged him, "Mama Turelli, looking as young and lovely as ever."

"Ah, such a sweet talker." she kissed Harm's cheek "You come to see my bella grand daughters?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course, and the two moms." Harm smiled and bent down and kissed Sam "Hey mom, these are for you." Harm put the flowers on the bedside table with the others.

"And who is this beautiful lady?" he asked as he looked at the little girl sleeping in her mothers arms.

"Say hi, Sam." Sam held up her daughter

"She's beautiful." Turning Harm smiled at Mira "And hello to you mom, these are for you."

"Thanks so much Harm."

"And this must be Evey."

"Yes" Mira said proudly

"Hey Harm." Sarah smiled giving him a quick kiss

"Sarah."

"How did it go?" she asked knowing that everyone wanted to know what happened at the precinct.

"Self-defense, the charges were dropped." Harm told the group, everyone sighed in relief. With Michael free, Jenny would be okay.

"Ah, good, I knew that Michael was a good boy. He wouldn't start the fight." Mama Turelli sighed in relief.

"Yeah, but who would have figured that Michael could fight that well." Tony Turelli put in, curious to know where the young man had learned to fight. When he had first met Michael, Tony had to admit that he'd been a bit disappointed to learn that Michael sold books for a living. It seemed kind of a wimpy career choice to the retired police inspector. Still, if Michael made his niece happy, then that was all that mattered to him and to the rest of the family.
Maria Barnes looked at Harm "And my Jenny?" she asked nervously

Harm smiled patting the woman's hand, "Fine Mrs. Barnes, she was taking Michael home and making him some dinner and putting him to bed. It looked to me like he hasn't slept in days."

"How could he." Mama Turelli patted Maria on the shoulder "In jail like that for only defending himself against those men."

"So what is going to happen to those marines?" Sarah asked curious

Harm shrugged as he wiggled his fingers at baby Sam, "I've already cut a deal with Bud, they plead guilty. Sixty days restriction and extra duty, half month's pay for two months."

Sarah blinked "No reduction in rank? You let them off light." she said surprised, knowing that she could have gotten a lot more than that from the three marines.

"Michael refused to testify against them." Harm shrugged "He claimed that the fight never happened it the first place. I think that he feels really guilty about how badly he hurt those guys, Those three jumped at the offer."

"So it's all over?" Sarah asked a bit disappointed, that meant that Harm would be leaving

"Well the Admiral was very happy with the results that I achieved, so he gave me a week of down time."

Sarah smiled, she and Harm didn't get away together very often. She would savor the time that they had now away from work.

"Great!"

Jed Bartlet hung up the phone and looked a the anxious face of Leo.

"It's over, the charges were dropped." he told his chief of staff.

Leo sighed relieved, the last thing that they needed was Archangel in jail.

"So what happened?" he asked

"Well" Jed stood up and poured himself a cup of coffee "Apparently, LtColonel Jackson went into labor last night, it was a girl by the way. Charlie!" Jed Bartlet called out.

The door to the oval office opened up "Yes Mr. President."

"Remind me later to place a call to Colorado Springs General Hospital to congratulate LtColonel Jackson and Dr. Jackson on the birth of their daughter. Order some flowers for me too please."

Making a note of his instructions on his PDA Charlie nodded "Yes, Mr. President. Will there be anything else?"

"No that's it Charlie, thanks." After the door closed he turned to Leo "Where was I?" he asked holding out another cup of coffee to Leo

Leo took the cup, "The birth." he reminded the President
"Ah yes, well apparently Michael Hammond was there as well. The entire group were invited to General Hammond's for a celebration. During which time, I don't understand how really, but apparently Michael Hammond remembered who his father was."

"Oh no." Leo shook his head remembering that Stanley didn't want the fact out yet

"Yeah" Jed agreed "Anyway he freaked out and ran. He was walking somewhere, probably trying to clear his head when three drunk marines started the fight."

"If that's the case, why was he arrested?" Leo asked confused "Sounds more like self defense to me."

"It was." Jed agreed "But he was the only one standing over three battered marines. Anyway Commander Rabb from JAG was sent out there and he got the charges dropped."

"We dodged a bullet that time." Leo sighed sitting on the couch, and decided that it was time to change the subject a bit "By the way I was talking to CJ and Will, you're going to get a kick out of this one."

"I could use a laugh." Jed admitted leaning back on the couch

"Well, Hardy, agent in charge of intelligence at the agency was here. We were getting an update on Archangel's movements and he decided to stop and talk to CJ."
"Yeah." Jed asked anxious for the punch line.

"Well you know what an arrogant SOB he is, and I think that he was trying to impress CJ. Anyway, he starts in again how Archangel is a mediocre agent. More of that crap he was giving us in the sit-room. Now what you have to remember is that no one but you and I and the Joint Chiefs, and the agency and FBI knew that he was being followed. So he goes on how Archangel is stupid how he wouldn't notice if you snuck up on him in the middle of the day in an abandoned lot, blah…blah…blah. So CJ smiles sweetly at him and says 'Do you mean like the three, four man teams rotating on eight hour shifts that you have following him?' Hardy is shocked asking how the hell she knew exactly what was going on." Leo cracks up a bit "Then Will tells him 'Oh Archangel spotted them the very first day they were on the job. You know, right after he was retired, he just thought that it wasn't worth the effort to lose them.'"

Jed began to laugh "I'm sure that Hardy was pleased to hear that his crack team was so effective."

Michael sat back on his couch feeling much better after the excellent authentic Italian meal that Jenny had made for him. Yet he was still angry with the man sitting before him. Jenny was still at his side holding his hand, giving Michael the support that he needed.

"How could you not tell me Stanley!" he demanded to know "How could you not tell me that he was my father!" Angry, but also hurt Michael stared at his doctor

Stanley sighed and leaned forward in his chair "You weren't ready for it, Michael. I was afraid that what happened, was going to happen. I wanted to ease you into it slowly, I wanted it to be something that you looked forward to and not to freak you out the way that it did." He admitted, then curiously he asked "By the way what was it that made you remember?"

Michael leaned back his head closing his eyes, he could practically feel Jenny's worried gaze on him, "It was a toy plane."

"A toy plane?"

Michael nodded remembering that day again "My mother bought it for me, it was the day that I was taken. I remember showing my father that plane, he acted so excited." Michael laughed "I told him that one day that I would drive a plane just like it. He corrected me and said, fly it you mean."

Jenny suddenly realized "That is what you were mumbling to yourself."
"Yes, when I saw it on the mantle piece" Michael shrugged and admitted "I remembered, and at that moment, I was back in the park showing my father that plane. I didn't even realize that I was saying it out loud, but when George…I mean my father." Michael shook his head still unable to believe it "When my father said those words to me again. I turned around and I suddenly saw him, the way that I remembered him all those years ago, suddenly I knew. I couldn't breathe, Stanley" Michael admitted "I just knew that I had to get out of there."

Stanley nodded in understanding "You had a panic attack, Michael. You began to hyperventilate. That is why you couldn't breathe, you felt chest pains too didn't you." He said knowingly

"Yeah" Michael admitted "Then when Daisy…"

"Your sister."

Michael nodded "My sister touched my arm, it felt like my skin was burning." Michael shook his head "Goddamn it Stanley what do I do now!" he demanded to know

Stanley shrugged "Well I can't turn back time and make you forget it. However, I do want you to think about something, can you do that?" he asked not wanting to push Michael too far.

"What?"

"I want to recommend a joint session, you, your father and your sisters. I want you to begin to tell them what you went through."
Michael shot up "NO!" he yelled startling Jenny "I can't, Stanley, I can barely talk to you as it is now!"

Calmly Stanley continued "Michael you have to understand, they are worried about you. They are also in pain, just like you. For thirty years they lived their lives wondering what happened to you. Now they know some of it, but they are left to guess and wonder about the rest. You can help them heal, and I believe that they can help you heal as well. They are your family Michael, they love you." Stanley relented "Don't answer now, think about it. It doesn't have to be today, or tomorrow, or even the next day." Stanley smiled as Michael sat down again "Still, I want you to think about it."

Michael nodded, wondering what he would say when he saw them.

Stanley stood up and grabbed his coat, "That's enough for today, you look exhausted. You didn't get much sleep last night did you."

"No" Michael admitted "I was too preoccupied remembering the last time I spent in a cell."

"Really?" Stanley was surprised to hear that "What happened to you that time?" he asked

Michael shook his head "I won't tell you." Seeing Stanley's expression, Michael continued "It's not that I don't want to tell you Stanley. I don't think that you are ready for it."

"What are you talking about?"

"How are you on graphic descriptions of torture, Stanley?" Michael asked his eyes haunted

Jenny's eyes opened wide and stared at her boyfriend shocked.

"How graphic are we talking?"

Michael shrugged staring out the window "Months of it Stanley, months of endless pain. Pain so intense that you want to die."

"Well, we will get to that." Stanley promised "But enough for today, get some rest Michael."

"Okay, Stanley."

Jenny stood and handed Stanley some covered dishes "For you Stanley, you look like you could use a good home cooked meal." she smiled

Stanley was pleasantly surprised "Thank you Jenny, and I could use a good meal."

"Thank you Stanley." Jenny told him sincerely, grateful to have this man helping Michael.

Stanley handed Jenny a card "If YOU ever need to talk to someone." he whispered

"Thanks" Jenny pocketed the card as she led him out.

Jenny returned to the couch and saw that Michael's eyes were beginning to droop.

Jenny grabbed his hands "Come on Michael, let's get you to bed." she said as he led Michael to his bedroom.

Michael sat down on the edge of his bed, "Stay with me?"

Jenny was surprised by the offer "I don't…"

"I'm not talking about sex." Michael told her "I told you I would wait until you were ready. I just don't want to be alone." he admitted painfully "I don't have nightmares when you are with me."

Jenny caressed his face "I was going to say that, I don't think that you could stay awake long enough for sex. I'll stay." She promised "We'll talk about sex, when you wake up." Jenny smiled curling up beside Michael, laying her head on his chest.

Smiling Michael wrapped his arms around Jenny and they both quickly fell asleep.

LAX International Airport

Los Angeles

A week later

Nigel Fasil was once a normal American teenager. Born to parents who were both born in England, he had been a small baby when his father was transferred from his London office to one in Beverly Hills. His parents, being completely westernized had sent Nigel to the best schools that money could buy. Nigel had belonged to both the chess club and played baseball for his high school. Upon graduation he began to attend Georgetown university and began his studies to become a lawyer. It was there in Georgetown that he had met other people who were Muslims. Curious about his heritage, Nigel began to attend some of the student meetings. He learned of the struggle of the Palestinian people against the Jewish state of Israel, and their illegal occupation of the West Bank. He learned of the thousands of his people who suffered because of western societies. The more that Nigel learned the more that he wanted to do something that would help his people. The people that his westernized parents had forgotten, people like his grandfather and grandmother. Not very religious, the Fasil's never forced their son to attend the mosque, nor to mix with many other Muslims. Growing up in a white bread neighborhood, Nigel knew so little about his own people. Now however, he had learned about their hard struggle against the imperialist west. Especially since he had met and become a member of the Muslim Freedom Movement. They had shown him that the only way to gain their freedom was to throw off the shackles that the Jews had placed on him. At first, he had tried to convince his parents that they had to recognize their foolishness. How they had turned their backs on their people. The Fasil's thought that this was just a phase, one that Nigel would grow out of, that on Nigel's part it was just talk. Now walking through the terminal at LAX international airport, Nigel was going to do more than just talk. Now was the time to strike at the infidel, and to hurt him where it would hurt the most. Taking a seat in the center of the terminal, Nigel closed his eyes and began to pray to Allah. He knew that he would be rewarded in heaven, he would know only joy. Opening his eyes, Nigel looked around and saw that he was now surrounded by people who were quickly passing by to get to their gates. Smiling Nigel reached into his jacket and pressed the button.

Jed Bartlet was smiling posing for a picture with a new troop of eagle scouts, when the door to the oval office opened and Leo hurried inside. Whispering quickly into the president's ear, Jed's eyes opened wide. Shaking hands quickly with the kids Jed excused himself and walked out quickly followed by Leo.

"What do we know so far?" Jed asked as the two men hurried towards the sit-room

"A suicide bomb went off at LAX at two pm EST. So far estimates are at fifty dead and hundreds wounded. LAX has been shut down and the police, FBI and US Customs are searching everyone at the remaining terminals. The fire department is on scene and have contained the fire. Ambulances are racing to and from the airport to the local hospitals. The Governor has declared a state of emergency and has activated the National Guard and the Coast Guard is out in force protecting the harbors. All our military bases and embassies here and overseas are at a heightened state of alert."

"I want all our airports on a Ready-One alert." The President ordered

"Being done as we speak." Leo told him "Also all our train terminals and docks."

"What about our National Security Advisor?" Jed asked knowing that the woman was attending a function at her alma mater UCLA, and was due back later today.

"Nancy McNally had not arrived at the airport yet when the bomb went off."

Jed sighed relieved that Nancy had not been there.

"We got her on a military transport and she is on her way back now." Leo placed his hand on the wall scanner and quickly opened the door for the president.

Jed nodded as all the officers in the room quickly came to attention.

"Sit gentlemen, Fitz where are we?"

"Sir" Percy Fitzwallace stared at the president "Estimates of fatalities has gone up. We are now looking at seventy-five dead and two hundred wounded. Fifteen of those, so I am told, are not going to make it past tonight." he announced sadly

Jed Bartlet scanned the room "Who did it?"

"Sir we have early indications that it was the MFM that is responsible." The NSA director told him. "Now we are not one hundred percent sure as of yet. We are contacting some sources and once we get that intelligence back. We will know a lot more than we know right now."

"How long until we know for sure?" Leo asked

"A few days." The man admitted "Right now every fundamentalist group is claiming responsibility."

"How sure are we that the MFM is responsible for this?" Bartlet asked

"Seventy percent sure." One of the generals spoke out

Jed nodded "I want to be updated every half hour on what's going on in LA." Turning to his intelligence people, "And you guys make one hundred percent sure about this. I want to know who is responsible and I want to know as soon as possible!" Jed stood up and quickly exited the room before anyone could stand up.

Stanley sat across from George Hammond and his three daughters. Stanley had begun sessions with them after the incident with Michael the previous week. During the sessions, one of the Hammonds would talk about what they had endured, how they had felt after the kidnapping and the subsequent years that followed. They talked about how they felt now that they knew that Michael was alive. It was the end of another productive session when Stanley closed his notebook and smiled at the family.

"I just wanted to let you know that Michael has agreed to the joint session." He told them

"Really!" Janice asked excitedly, she remembered last week after the semi hysterical conversation with Daisy about what had just happened to Michael. How suddenly afraid she was that her baby brother was in jail. How much she wanted to talk to him, to know him and about his life. To tell him about her life, introduce him to his niece and nephew.

"Yes" Stanley smiled happy that Michael had agreed to this "However, he wants to meet on his own terms. Somewhere he feels safe."

"Where?"

"His apartment, above his store."

"When?" Daisy asked wanting to talk to Michael

"Tonight, if that is okay with you?"

"Just give us the time you want us to be there." George sat up straighter in his seat

"Nine, it's a couple of hours before the store closes. Michael said that he would talk as long as you wanted. I'll stay as long as you need me to stay." Stanley promised

"Thank you Stanley." Felicia smiled at the doctor "You are a God send."

Will Bailey sat in his office staring at the wall his mind caught out in limbo. Why did he ever volunteer to try and find a way for Michael Angel to tell his story in a way that there would be no fall out! It was a stupid idea, there was no way for the former agent to open his mouth and not create a whirl wind. The fall out would be catastrophic to say the very least. CJ had been right when she had said that he was insane to ever make that proposition to Michael. It raised Michael's hopes that he could unburden himself from his past and insured that Will Bailey would have no future for being the one who let Michael do it in the first place.

Elsie Snuffen watched her step-brother staring at the wall. No, he was much more than a step-brother, he was her real brother in so many ways. It had been Will who convinced her to start her writing career. It had been Will who had bought her to the White House to be a speech writer for the President. It had been Will she had gone to so many times when she needed someone to talk to, to confide in with her secrets. Finally it had been Will who had never betrayed her trust in him. Elsie knew what was bothering him, the promise that he had made to a stranger. A trouble man with a violent past, she remembered Will's words to her the night that he had returned from Colorado Springs.

"Elsie, I think that I have made the biggest mistake of my life."

Elsie had stared at her brother "What is it Willy, come on you can tell me."

Quickly Will explained to her about his trip to Colorado and his promise to Michael Angel.

"You should have seen his face, Elsie." Will shook his head "It was so hopeful, he said that he was going to do something that he had never done in his entire adult life."

"What was that?"

Will looked at his sister miserably "He was going to trust me."

Elsie knew that Will would somehow keep his word. She didn't know how Will was going to do it, without the massive fall out. But perhaps she did.

"Will" she whispered as she closed his office door.

Will spun around, "Oh it's you." He sighed relieved "I thought for a second it was Toby."

Elsie stared at her brother amused "You think that I sound like Toby?"

Will blushed "NO! Of course not, it's just…"

"I know" Elsie waved it off "I just came to tell you that I think that I found a way."

"A way for what?"

"Willy!"

"OH!" Will sat up interested in what his sister had come up with "And don't call me Willy." he reminded her

As if she ever would stop, Elsie smiled "I was thinking, what if he wrote a book."

Will shook his head "I already thought of that, there is still no way to contain the fall…"
"No Willy, I mean what if he wrote it as fiction using an alias. No one would ever realize that it was him that wrote it." Elsie sat down as Will sat forward interestedly "You know, change some names, some situations, but get the gist of his story out there. He could talk and talk all he wants and no one would ever realize that he was actually telling the truth. It would just be another thriller. He could say that he got all his insider knowledge through research like Tom Clancy does in his books."

"There would be no fallout." Will smiled

"Not unless someone figures out the truth. Still if he changes the names and the situations, it would probably be impossible to pickup on it. Even if someone does…"

Will nodded in understanding "He could always say that he got the idea from something that he read in the papers."

"Yeah" Elsie leaned back with a self-satisfied grin on her face.

Will came around his desk and hugged her "You are brilliant!"

Elsie nodded "Thank you, thank you very much. Now all you have to do is sell it."

"Oh, I'll sell it." Will promised her "If I gotta pay for publishing it myself, I'll sell it to him."

Michael shifted in his seat again, it was his turn to start talking. It was already one a.m. in the morning and for the last four hours he listened to his father and his sisters talking to him and to each other. Felicia admitted how she had felt for years as if it was all her fault. That Michael had been taken, because she had fallen and their parents had gone to see to her, leaving Michael vulnerable to be taken. How she was positive that Michael would never have been taken if their father had been there to protect him. Janice had spoken about how much she had missed having her little brother with her, how the two of them were only a year and a half apart in age. How she missed the closeness that they had shared as they played as children. How guilty she had felt for being the one that had called their parents away from his side. Daisy had spoken about how much she had wanted to know about him. How she had wanted to have some memories of her older brother. Since she had been a babe in arms, that she had never gotten to know Michael. Most of the time had been taken up by George Hammond. Talking about how indeed he had run around the maternity ward handing out cigars after the birth of his son. How much he had loved him, how he missed him everyday that Michael had been gone. How it had affected his mother, how his mother's final words and thoughts had been about him. The anger and rage that he felt now, learning about what they had done to his only son. How he personally wanted to kill them all for what they had done. The DVD's he had watched of Michael, how he had to know what they had done to his son. How he didn't care about what his son had done, as long as he was still alive. How happy he was to see his son again, how proud that his son was strong and handsome. Still now it was Michael's turn, and after hearing them talk. Hearing their pain and the love that he felt from them, Michael knew that he had to be completely truthful. Not tell them the half truths that he had planned to tell them.

"Where to begin." Michael shook his head

"The beginning is a good place." Janice suggested to her baby brother

"The beginning." Michael sighed as he sat back in his seat "Well it begins in the "Big Nowhere" where I was trained. Wake up was at five am every morning, breakfast and then to our first class by six. Regular school work to begin with until 2pm. After that came the other stuff, physical training, weight training, martial arts, computers, languages, weapons, espionage, counter espionage, terrorism, counter terrorism, tactics, demolitions back in bed by ten pm and start all over again the next morning. The motto there was simple, 'Sanctuary is life, life is Sanctuary.' Every move we made was watched and recorded, still we found ways around that. Unguarded ventilation systems. We made up codes and hand signals when we wanted to speak to each other."
"You mean the other kids?" Daisy asked to be sure

Michael nodded "Yeah, we had one day a week free, to do as we wanted. Mostly it was additional training, but sometimes we would play games that we would make up. As long as you trained hard, no one really bothered you much. If you didn't keep up…" Michael sighed "That is when the trouble would begin. You would get one warning, and one week to improve, if you didn't, then you were cancelled." Michael smiled "I was warned a lot over the first few years. I wouldn't have made it, if it wasn't for the others, especially three of them. Magdalene, Rafael and Gideon." Michael smiled remembering his friends "Phase one of training ended when we were ten, that is when we entered Phase two and everything became twice as hard." Michael admitted "Everything was graded on a higher performance level. The first to fail was Francisco. I remember, I was there the day he got his warning, and I was there when he failed his performance evaluation the next week. I was also there when he was cancelled." Michael admitted to them "The only thing merciful about it, was that it was done quickly. A bullet to the back of the head, bang, first of the Guardian Angels to fall, but not the last. Nine others over the next six years. They all failed to meet expectations."

"What about you?" Felicia asked tears in her eyes, happy that he had made it through the training. Just happy that he was alive.

"After I saw what they did to Francisco, I changed." he admitted to them "I worked harder than anyone else, trained twice what the others did. Studied and perfected everything that I did, then I turned around and did the same for the others. I made sure that the others passed their evaluations, if it meant that I had to beat the shit out of them to make them pass, then I did that too. Still I knew, that no matter what I did, no matter how good I was, sooner or later Sanctuary was going to kill me. I just knew it, sometimes I think that they did kill me there." Michael looked at his family wishing that he could shed some tears, but the tears wouldn't come "The worst day that I had there was when I was five. I remember waking up, and I couldn't remember anymore. I couldn't remember my name, my birthday, I couldn't remember what any of you looked like anymore. I wasn't Michael anymore, I was just Archangel, just the way that Praetorian had promised me it would be." he said bitterly "They took away what was most important to me, my very name."

"How could they make you forget though?" Felicia asked

"Oh there are many ways to make people forget, you would be amazed. For instance if you don't use your proper name for awhile, you begin to forget. It takes time, but when you only use your codenames, sooner or later you forget. Birthdays is simple, every year, never the same day twice mind you, someone in Sanctuary comes up to you and says. Hey you're four now, five, six. After awhile you become confused and you decide it's not worth it to remember, you have more important things to worry about, like surviving."

"How did you survive?" Daisy asked him "Not just the training, but afterwards? I would have gone insane!"

Michael's features darkened as he explained the rules of survival, "You learn to hide things, you learn to give other things up. First you have to bury your emotions, lock them in a box and not let anyone touch it for any reason. You learn very quickly that emotions can get you killed. They are weapons that can be used against you, so you can't care about anyone. If you did, Sanctuary would find a way to use it to their advantage. I didn't do that one time and it cost me. It cost me my wife and child." Michael told them evenly "It was Sanctuary that had them killed."

George stared at his son shocked "You know that for sure?"

Michael nodded "Oh yes, I know, Puppet Master gave the order, and Praetorian carried it out."

"But didn't you want revenge?" Felicia asked knowing that Sanctuary had been afraid of Michael ever finding out.

Michael smiled grimly "Another thing you learn is patience. I am a very patient man, I waited, and I planned and I got my revenge. It was so cleverly done, that they still don't know what I did."

"What did you do?" Daisy asked suddenly afraid of her brother

Michael shook his head gravely, "That secret goes to the grave with me."

Janice decided she wanted to change the subject, "Didn't you ever miss us?" she asked

"In the beginning. I used to cry every night before bed time, I would dream of you, dad coming to get me and saying that it was all some huge mistake. That I wasn't supposed to be there, and that you had come back to take me home." Michael admitted "Still I thought that you were all dead. Later, I thought that they might be lying to me, but I was never sure. I couldn't follow up on it though, by that time, I didn't want you to know me. I didn't want you to see what I had become. I also knew that if I ever looked for you, and Sanctuary ever got wind of it. You all would have had fatal accidents."

It was nearly dawn before they were finished talking and the group departed to let Michael get some rest. The goodbyes were awkward at first. Michael was still not comfortable hugging this particular group, even if they were his family. Daisy changed that very fast.

She shook her head at Michael's outstretched hand "I've waited thirty years for this." She told Michael hugging him fiercely, that was quickly followed by Felicia and Janice and George.

As George pulled away he cupped his son's cheeks and looked at his son, "Your name is Michael Benjamin Hammond, you were born on May 27th 1971 at 3:19 in the afternoon, at the Air Force Academy Hospital, right here in Colorado Springs."

Michael smiled at his father, "Thank you." he said simply "I've been afraid to ask." he admitted

"You don't ever have to be afraid again. We are not going anywhere." George promised his son giving him one last hug.

After the group departed, Michael made his way to his bedroom and opened the door. Smiling he saw that Jenny had fallen asleep wearing one of his t-shirts. Moving to the bed Michael sat upon it gently stroking her hair, marveling at how beautiful she looked asleep. Their passionate night of love making had been unbelievable. Michael was now glad that Jenny had made him wait for her to be ready. Jenny had been right, and Michael finally understood how special that night truly was. How much more he loved the woman before him now.

"I love you Jenny Barnes." He told her, really for the first time in his life. Michael had loved Daniella, but somehow this seemed more intense for him. Perhaps it was because Jenny was the one who had the key to open that box that had held his emotions for so long. Now it was open and laid bare for Jenny to see. Jenny had also seen what Michael was capable of doing, she had seen his dark side and wasn't afraid of what she saw there.

With her eyes still closed Jenny smiled "I love you too Michael Hammond." she whispered still half asleep.

Michael smiled as he got into bed, instantly Jenny turned over and draped herself over his body. The last thought Michael had before sleep claimed him, was that Jenny was the first person to call him Michael Hammond.

Daniel opened the door and let Sam come into the house before him. Cradling little Sam in her arms, Sam went into the living room and sat down, her eyes never leaving her child's face. Daniel deposited Sam's bag in their bedroom and quickly came downstairs. Daniel stood at the doorway into the living room and stared at his wife, he was amazed at Sam's expression, not since he'd known this woman had he seen his wife at such utter peace with herself and with the world. This only served to make Daniel love her even more. Moving to her side Daniel slipped onto the couch carefully as not to wake his daughter. Wrapping his arm around his wife, Sam gently laid her head on Daniel's shoulder.

"She's so beautiful." Sam whispered still in utter awe of the miracle that laid in her arms asleep, "I can't believe that she is the product of our love." still completely amazed at the new life in her arms. So fragile, so innocent and gentle.

Daniel nodded in complete agreement with his wife, "She looks like her mother." Daniel touched the dark curls of his daughter's hair. "Well almost." he teased gently.

Sam smiled kissing her daughter's forehead "Don't listen to daddy, you have beautiful hair, besides, that is why God created Clairol for women."

The door to their house opened and Daisy tiptoed in, Gabe, Josie, and Chun-li right behind her. Sam smiled and noted that Daisy was also getting bigger from her own pregnancy. Carefully leaning over Daisy kissed Sam's cheek and hugged Daniel.

"I still can't get over how beautiful she is." Daisy gushed and looked at Gabe "I can't wait." she told her husband rubbing her own stomach.

Chun-li smiled as he came forward and snapped a digital picture "For the family in New York." he told them.

"Everyone sit, please." Daniel motioned around to the empty seats

Sam stared at one of her best friends, and had to ask "How did it go last night?" she asked worried, Sam had been worried since Daisy and the general had visited her last night at the hospital and told her where they were on their way to.

"Wonderful." Daisy grinned sheepishly "Well, what was said wasn't all that wonderful, but the fact that we were all together was wonderful. We talked until nearly dawn, and the only reason we left at all was because we were all dead on our feet." Daisy admitted, knowing that if she had the energy she would still be there right now. "Stanley said he couldn't believe how much Michael actually told us. He said that he learned more about Michael last night than in all of the sessions they've had together. Stanley thinks that Michael is going to be okay. All he needs is time. That now that Michael knows that his family is here and loves him, he will work harder and be more willing to talk now."

"That is great news." Daniel smiled as he stood up "Would anyone care for some coffee?"

"Please!" Gabe smiled rubbing his wife's back "I didn't get much sleep last night. I was too wound up."

Daniel understood what that waiting must have been like. Gabe was not known generally for his patience.

"I'll put a pot on, milk Sam?"

Sam pulled a face, but knew that she was not allowed coffee for awhile. Caffeine was definitely not good for the baby, while breast feeding.

"Sure"

Daisy looked at her watch "Hey, everyone should be here soon."

"For what?" Sam asked confused as she gently bounced her daughter in her arms.

"Well we never did get to have a baby shower for you guys." Gabe pointed out to her "Besides, knowing you two, you probably were just going to order Chinese take-out again tonight."

Sam smiled sheepishly and shrugged not denying the accusation "Well, I guess I really have to brush up on my cooking skills. Daniel too, I'm not going down alone." she promised

"Well, Janet has been baking like crazy. Mama Turelli is going to stop by with some food…"

"NO!" Sam was horrified "That woman is a menace! The whole time I was pregnant, she was here every week with enough delicious food to feed the entire SGC!" Sam complained "Do you know how long it is going to take me to get my figure back!" Sam could already foresee many, many, many hours in the gym. Hopefully Annie would help her there, no one worked out harder than Annie, well except her equally huge fiancée Paulie.

Daisy laughed imagining Sam being force fed by the tiny Italian mother hen.

"Don't worry, most of the SGC will probably be stopping by at some point in the next few hours. Just serve them that."

Sam shook her head in defeat, "By the way how is everything going at work?"

Gabe shook his head, his expression suddenly more somber "All teams are on stand down until further notice. The base is still on a heightened state of alert after that bombing in LA."

Sam was suddenly saddened remembering how she and Mira had been shocked by the news.

"Do they know who is responsible yet?" Daniel asked as he bought in the tray with cups and coffee. Daniel handed the glass of milk to Sam as Gabe spoke.

Gabe accepted the cup, "Looks like it was the MFM, or Muslim Freedom Movement. At least that what the news is saying. Did you guys hear the President's speech?"

Daniel and Sam both shook their heads "No, we were on our way home. We didn't want to play the radio cause Sammy was sleeping."

Gabe stared at his friends "Well, actually having met the President, I could tell that the man was pissed off to the Nth degree. I think that when we know for sure who did it, we are going to be reading a story in the paper of some terror group having their ass handed to them by the U.S. military." And Gabriel Fuentes hoped that he would be on that particular mission.

Daisy agreed with her husband's assessment "I've never seen President Bartlet so upset. He declared Monday a national day of mourning. All flags on federal buildings will be at half-mast and there will be a special ceremony at the national cathedral."

"Have they got a final casualty count?" Sam asked knowing that the news would not be good

"Ninety dead, one hundred and seventy hurt." Gabe told them the bitter news

"Why would anyone do such a thing?" Josie asked sadly and very confused at what would cause another human being to kill so many innocent people.

"I honestly don't know sweetie." Her father told her. Also unable to fathom the brutality of killing innocent civilians.

"It is something that is done by madmen." Chun-li told his grand-niece "Men and women who have ceased to care about life, and care only in destruction."

Daniel stood up as the phone rang, picking it up he answered it. Sam noticed that her husband's face lit up.

"Sydney! How are you?"

"I'm great Daniel, so tell me, boy or girl?" Sydney Fox asked from across the continent sitting in her office with her feet up on her desk at the ancient studies department of Trinity College in Boston. Dark black hair and brown eyes glittered with anticipation, she was anxious to find out if Daniel had any success.

"It was a girl, 7lb 3oz., how's Nigel doing?" Daniel asked remembering the Englishman

"He's doing good, how's your wife doing and the baby of course?"

"Both ladies are doing great, I guess you're calling about those translations."

Sydney bit her lip, she really didn't like taking advantage of one of the only ex-boyfriends she had who wasn't a jerk, "I'm sorry to bother you about this, I know you have your hands full right now with the new baby and all. But Nigel doesn't read ancient Babylonian. I mean, he could do it given enough time, but we have a dead line to make the trip."

Daniel waved off the concern, "No problem, Syd, I was happy to do it for you. Well the copy of the scroll that you sent me definitely talks about the tower of Bebel. It talks about a secret route that must be taken to find the book of Nebukenezzar, where it is said that he recorded his conversations with the God, Marduk."
Sydney could feel her adrenalin begin to pump with the thought of going on another relic hunt.

"That is wonderful Daniel!" She said excitedly "NIGEL!"

Nigel Bailey a handsome young man with brown hair and blue-green eyes, ran into the room hearing the excitement in Sydney's voice "What is it Syd?" he asked anxiously

"We were right!" She told him "It is the story of the tower of Bebel and the secret chamber!"

Daniel couldn't help laughing at his friends excitement, "Tell Nigel I said hello."

Sydney blushed "Daniel says hello, by the way."

Nigel smiled remembering the young Egyptologist who spoke more languages both dead and living languages than he did. They had met just six months previously at a seminar given at Colorado Springs University. Sydney had been there to deliver a new paper that she and Nigel had just completed. It was the third day of the conference right after Sydney had finished her presentation and was answering some questions, that Nigel noticed a handsome man listening with a smile on his face. Instantly Nigel knew that this was another one of Sydney's ex-boyfriends. His supposition was proven correct a moment later, when Sydney had turned around and spotted him.

"Daniel?" Sydney asked shocked seeing a face she hadn't seen in a decade "Daniel Jackson!" Sydney hugged the man.

"Sydney." Daniel smiled as he hugged her back "It's good to see you."

"You too, it's been what ten years?"

Daniel agreed with her "Something like that."

Sydney noticed that Nigel was standing in the background trying to remain unobtrusive.

"Nigel, come here and meet one of your heroes." she waved to him "Daniel this my assistant Nigel Bailey, Nigel this is Daniel Jackson…"

Nigel looked surprised "Not the Daniel Jackson who wrote, 'The History of Osirus"." he asked

Daniel blinked, "Wow, that still in print?" he laughed "I wrote that what, ten, eleven years ago now."

"It was quite good, your understanding of Egyptian mythology and hieroglyphics is without parallel." Nigel complimented him.

Daniel blushed "Thanks." Looking at Sydney again he added "I was just wandering around campus waiting for my wife to finish up her last class of the day, when I saw a poster that said you were here to deliver a new paper and I thought that I would check it out."

Sydney stared at her ex… "You're married?" she asked surprised and happy "How long?"

"Couple of months." He admitted

"Newlyweds, I'm really happy for you Daniel." Sydney hugged him again "So I guess that you are living out here now?"

"Yes, for awhile now actually. Met Sam, my wife out here."

Nigel remembered spending a wonderful afternoon talking history with Daniel and quickly becoming friendly with him. So far, Daniel Jackson was the only one of Sydney Fox's ex-boyfriends that he actually liked, and respected. It was just too bad that Sydney and he had to leave before getting a chance to meet Daniel's wife.

"Give him my best, oh by the way did his wife…" Nigel asked hoping for good news

Sydney nodded "Yes it was a girl."
"Oh good show, give him my congratulations." Nigel smiled happy for his friend

"Nigel says congrats, by the way…"
"Thank him for me. I've already over nighted the complete translations to your office. You should be getting them sometime today or tomorrow morning." Daniel smiled knowing that his friend was anxious to go "By the way Syd" Daniel added soberly "If you're going to Babylon, you had better be damn careful how you do it." he warned "Just cause the Iraqi conflict is over…"

Sydney smiled grateful for Daniel's concern "I know Daniel, and we will be careful. Promise. I better let you go and back to your family, dad. I'll talk to you soon." she promised

"Bye Syd." Daniel hung up

Daniel shook his head as he went back to his waiting family.

"Who was that Daniel?" Sam asked curiously

"Oh that was an old friend of mine, Professor Sydney Fox. She teaches up in Boston at Trinity University, she had some translations that she and her assistant couldn't make out, so she asked me to take a look."

Sam thought back and remembered "The one that you told me about awhile ago? The one that gave a lecture at the college?"

"Yes that's her."

Gabe smiled knowingly "Another of your ex-girl friends I assume."

Daniel blushed "As a matter of fact yes she was. She's a relic hunter now."

"A what?" Daisy asked confused

Daniel smiled and moved over to his book case and pulled out the an old copy of Archeology Today. Flipping through it he found the proper page.

"Just think a female Indiana Jones." he told them holding out the magazine

Daisy took the magazine "She is absolutely gorgeous!" Daisy shook her head and read "Professor Sydney Fox does it again as she recovers the sword of St. Gabriel."

Gabe looked over interestedly "Very exotic Daniel, oriental?"
"Polynesian, Hawaiian, actually. We met in college." Daniel shrugged "We met when I was a teaching assistant, she was a student."

"You dated a student?" Gabe asked surprised as he handed the magazine to Sam

Daniel shook his head "She wasn't my student."

"Wow Daniel." Sam looked at the picture of the woman "She is beautiful."

"But dangerous." Daniel shook his head "I went on a couple of hunts with her. I swore never again!" Daniel shivered remembering the trouble that they had gotten into in Mexico over some ancient Aztec statues.

"So what is it that she does exactly?" Sam asked curious about another of Daniel's ex's.

"Well, she is a professor of ancient studies, but also, historians from all over the world contact Syd to search out lost artifacts. Syd and her assistant Nigel Bailey, then go in search of them. Most of the time it's really dangerous work, ancient booby traps, rival relic hunters and just plain treasure thieves can make a hunt really dangerous. Sydney Fox is very much a take charge kind of woman, who does not like to hear the words, no or can't be done."

Before Sam could ask anymore, the front door opened and Mama Turelli walked in followed by four of her sons, including Paulie, all loaded down with trays of food.

"Oh no." Sam moaned as she stood up to put the baby in her crib "Just looking at all of that is going to cost me a month in the gym!"

Jack and Janet entered next a few minutes later, followed by Cassie and Teal'c also loaded down with food.

"Hey kids, what's cooking?" Jack took a sniff in the air "Ahh!" he said satisfied and rubbing his stomach "Mama is here!"

Gabe laughed and held out the magazine to Jack "Want to see another of Daniel's ex's?"

Jack smiled mischievously, knowing how much it embarrassed Daniel "Always interested. Wow, she is gorgeous." Jack shook his head staring at the woman, say what you will about his space monkey, the boy had a way with the women and excellent taste.

Jenny smiled as she fixed Michael's collar. It amazed her how such a simple little thing could make her so happy.

"Do we really have to go?" he asked again not really looking forward to tonight's party

Jenny nodded seriously as she finished with his collar, "Yes, my mother and Mama Turelli have ordered that we will be in attendance. Those are two women that you do not want to cross." Jenny laughed releasing his collar "I don't care how big a bad ass spy you were. My mother says you better be there, so you better be there." Jenny relented seeing Michael's expression, she knew that he still had trouble being in crowds. "Michael can I ask you something?" She asked tentatively

"Sure." Michael grabbed his keys off the counter.

"Why is it that you don't like crowds?" Jenny asked curiously

"It's not that I don't like crowds." Michael told her honestly "I like them well enough when I can control the situation. When it is something that I have planned for and I know what to expect. It's different when you are just thrust into a situation like that. I have to be able to see who and what is around me, I don't like surprises."

"But surprises can be fun!" Jenny laughed as they went down the elevator

Michael shook his head seriously "In the world I used to live in, surprises can mean death."

Chapter 16: Surprises

Somewhere Downtown

Washington D.C.

The same night

Control ran down the next alley, his chest thumping hard in his chest. The disk that he carried still clenched in his sweaty hand, as he looked up and down the alley. Slowing down to a fast walk he began to move down the dark alley. Control knew that he had to get rid of the disk as soon as possible. He had to get it into the right hands just in case they found him. Carefully Control became a part of the shadows, just as he had twenty years before when he was a young field agent. The speed might be gone, but the cunning was still as strong as ever. Control knew that he had absolutely no chance of out running the men that were now after him. He was way too out of shape for that to happen, he could however out think them. That would not pose too much of a problem, he had the experience accumulated over a life time, no not a problem at all. Moving over to a sewer grate he quickly opened it and slipped inside.

The stench of the sewer was horrendous and there were probably more rats with more diseases than he cared to think of running around. Still he had to ignore that and complete his mission, gripping the disk even harder, he began to run down the narrow corridors of the sewer towards the White House. Control still could not believe the contents of the disk that he now held in his hands. He had discovered the files quite by accident, Control and the computer genius of Sanctuary, codenamed Cypher, had been changing their security codes and going through the back files. That was when Cypher had made a startling discovery.

"Control, take a look at this." Cypher had called to him

Looking over the young man's shoulder, "What is it?" he asked wondering what was wrong

Cypher shook his head "I found a buried root directory in our mainframe."

"What?" Control took the seat by Cypher "How is that possible?"

Cypher shook his head "The only person who can do something like this would be Puppet Master herself. She had all of the command codes for our systems, that's why I'm changing our security protocols now."

Control moved closer to the screen "Bring up the file names."

Cypher quickly did so and he and Control stared at twelve files all of which contained a lot of information.

"Open the file labeled Armageddon." Control ordered

Doing so, Control began to read.

"Oh dear God in heaven." he whispered suddenly afraid of what he was reading

"Holy shit!" Cypher muttered as he scrolled down the file, suddenly the young man sat up alert "Oh, oh." he muttered as he quickly shoved a disk into the drive and began hitting keys.

"What's wrong?" Control asked as he watched the young man's fingers fly over the keyboard.

"We've set off a security protocol." he told Control "It's trying to erase all of the files. I'm making a backup disk now."

"Can't you stop it?" Control asked knowing that they needed these files, he needed to know what was on the other files.

"No, I'd need Puppet Masters personal codes and I've already deleted those from the system. The only thing I can do is save what I can. I've started on the Armageddon file, but this shit computer is taking forever to download!" he said frustrated as he saw file after file being erased "Come on…shit half the files are gone…come on you piece of crap!" The files continued to disappear as the first file was finally done.

Cypher saw that all the files were now gone with the exception of the one. Pulling out the disk quickly, he shook his head in frustration.

"This is why this job now sucks!" he announced frustrated "The Agency took all of our good equipment and stuck us with the shit! Sorry Control I was only able to save the first file." he announce holding up the disk.

Taking the disk Control pocketed it and put a hand on Cypher's shoulder "Don't worry, after the President sees what is on this disk. We should be getting some of our old equipment back, he will finally realize that we can't possibly work under these conditions." He told the young man, just as frustrated with the Agency. Ever since the Agency had reclaimed over-site control of Sanctuary, the Agency had plundered the now defenseless smaller group. Sanctuary had once had control of some of the best computer equipment on the planet. However, the Agency in their stupidity had taken that equipment and replaced it with their old substandard computers. Well now the President was going to be made aware of the situation, and know what it had actually cost them.

Picking up the phone, Control dialed the number of the only man in the Bartlet administration who seemed to understand the vital role that Sanctuary actually played in preventing terrorism.

"Good evening, Josh Lyman's office, Donna Moss speaking how can I help you?"

"Donna, this is Control over at Sanctuary. It is vital that I speak to Mr. Lyman immediately."

"Please hold on one moment." The pause lasted thirty seconds

"Josh Lyman speaking."
"Mr. Lyman this is Control."

"Good evening, what can I do for you tonight?"

Control got down to business in a hurry "I need ten minutes of the President's time. I know, I'm supposed to go through the Agency, but I don't know who I can trust there now. This is vital Mr. Lyman. I know what Puppet Master is up to now."

"Get down here as fast as you can." Josh ordered knowing that this situation was about to get worse, "I'll be waiting for you at the main gates and escort you in personally."

"I'll be there as soon as I can." Hanging up the phone, Control turned to Cypher "It's important that you try and salvage any and all information that you can."

"I'm on it boss." Cypher loved a challenge, and began to type "Come on baby, tell me your secrets."

Control had left the confines of Sanctuary and went to his car. Control was five miles from the White House, when his mission went haywire. The attack had been quick, but not quick enough, Control had seen the muzzle of the gun two heartbeats before it began to fire. Just long enough for him to violently turn the wheel and avoid being shot. After that the chase was on, block after block, mile after mile. Control weaved in and out of traffic, cursing his own stupidity for not carrying a weapon anymore. After all he was Control, when would he ever be faced again with a situation when he needed a gun.

"Now stupid, now!" he muttered to himself as he came to a dead end, jumping out of the car Control ran down a side alley and was halfway down it when he heard the screeching tires and the sounds of car doors opening and the pounding of feet behind him.

"I have to make it!" he silently prayed "Please God let me make it, the President has to see this. I have to see my wife and children again. Please God let me make it."

So it had gone until now, Control ran down the darken sewer knowing that for now at least he had lost his pursuers. How long that would last though, was anyone's guess, he had to make it. Slowing only when he had to, only when his heart threatened to burst out of his chest, he went on and on towards his final destination. Finally coming to the end of the line in the sewer, Control paused to catch his breath. Control knew that the blocked off area was the border put up by the Secret Service so that no one could gain access to the White House by means of the underground tunnels. Control also knew that meant that he was six blocks away from the White House, worst of all, Control knew that meant that he was six blocks away from the White House without a lot of cover for him to hide behind, no shadows to cling to, only open streets, where he could get killed in a hurry. That is why he rested now, he knew that this was a race. Control had six blocks to reach the finish line, he also knew that he could not fail, not tonight. Especially not after what he had read in that file. Rested, Control made his way to the surface and finding himself well concealed in another alley. Making his way carefully to the corner he peeked around and saw that the streets for the moment were empty.

"It's now or never." He thought as he quickly sent another prayer to the almighty, he never saw the worried young man that stood beside him.

Andrew stared at the now frightened and tired man, he also knew that cars were waiting nearby to kill this man. That is why Andrew was here after all, to take Francis home if necessary. Yet Andrew also knew that it was vital for Francis to succeed, the President needed to know the truth. So Andrew also offered up his own prayers to God for the man to succeed. God answered.

A motorcycle pulled up to a red light, not ten feet from Control. Control took one look and quickly ran forward and knocked the young man off the bike. Quickly straddling the bike, Control took off as fast as he could. Almost instantly he heard the cars that were now bearing down on him. He could almost feel the automatic fire that came so close to him. Flattening himself on the bike, Control added more speed and raced to the White House.

Josh paced the walkway in front of the White House, waiting for Control to arrive a few sight seers who recognized him as an important man in the administration pointed at him and some snapped pictures . Josh smiled and waved to them as he remembered Control's voice when they had spoken, the man had sounded frightened, and that in turn had frightened Josh. Looking at his watch again, Josh saw that it had been nearly two hours since he had spoken to Control. The man should have been here long ago, this also made Josh nervous. Where was the man? He wondered to himself. Bundled in Josh's overcoat, Donna walked up to Josh.

"Here." Donna smiled "I bought you some coffee."

Gratefully Josh took it and took a sip "Thank you so much, I was freezing." Holding up the cup Josh couldn't resist joking with Donna.

"If I knew that the only thing that I needed to do to get you to bring me coffee is sleep with you. I would have done it years ago."

Donna smiled at her lover "Well I guess that is the last time I feel sorry for you. Next time I'll just let you freeze to death."

Josh smiled as he drank more coffee.

"So where is this guy?" Donna wondered aloud

"I don't know." Josh admitted "But he sounded scared, and baby that scares me to death."

Donna rubbed his shoulder as the loud sound of a motorcycle became audible. Then the sound of gunfire. Horrified Josh stared at Control as he barreled down the street with people shooting at him.

"MARINE GUARD!" Josh yelled as five armed marines ran forward

"The man on the bike!" Josh pointed "You have to help him now!"

Instantly the marines raised their weapons as the small crowd that had been in front of the White House scattered. Screaming mothers grabbed their children and ran as quickly as they could from the scene.

Suddenly bullets began to hit the sidewalk, Josh grabbed Donna and threw her down covering her with his own body. His mind remembering the last time that he had heard gunfire. The night he had been shot in the chest by a nazi fundamentalist hate group. Josh was lost in the past as he squeezed himself even more on Donna, determined not to let her get hurt.

Marines and Secret Service agents poured out and began to fire at the two cars. The motorcycle came to a screeching halt and it's rider quickly dropped the bike and flattened himself behind it. One car veered off and it's engine exploded as it crashed into a telephone pole not ten feet from where Josh and Donna lay. The other spun it's wheel as it made a quick getaway from the security force. It sped down the street, but was instantly chased by the police, FBI and Secret Service.

Donna looked up and saw the crashed car by the pole.
"STAY DOWN!" One agent yelled to Josh as two more secret service agents placed themselves in front of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the White House.

The door to the car was kicked open and one man jumped out with an automatic weapon in hand. Leveling it towards Control, the man never stood a chance, as a dozen different weapons fired from not ten feet away killing the man instantly. Five agents approached the car and looked in.

"We're clear!" The man announced to the other agents and mouthed into his radio "We are clear up at the main gate, one suspect in custody, three more dead. Cover him!" the agent ordered pointing to Control "Search him quick."

One agent who had been protecting Josh and Donna spun around "Mr. Lyman, Miss. Moss, are you okay." The agent demanded as he began to run his hands over Josh's body to make sure there were no wounds. The other agent, a woman quickly did the same to Donna.

"She's good." The female agent sighed relieved, the protectees were safe. An injured protectee was an agent's worse fear come to pass.

"So is he." The agent lifted his radio again "Abbott and Costello are both okay, I repeat, Abbott and Costello are okay."

Donna turned to Josh and launched herself into his arms "Josh! Are you okay!" she demanded to know, knowing that her lover suffered from post traumatic stress.

Shakily Josh nodded to her and squeezed her tight "I'm okay, you?"

"I'm fine." Donna told him tears in her eyes, the sight of a man being riddled with lord knows how many bullet's, still fresh in her mind.

"Sir, we have to get you inside." The agent ordered, not wanting to chance another attack.

"Right" Josh nodded still shaken to his core, he needed to talk to Stanley, even if it was just on the phone, he needed to talk to him.

"Mr. Lyman!" Control called to him, still surrounded by agents

"Let him in." Josh called out "He's with us, he's with the CIA."

The agent looked skeptical "Are you sure Mr. Lyman?"

"Yeah, he's the man I was waiting on when this all started."

"Let him go." The agent ordered "But we escort them all the way, did he have a gun?"

"No sir."

"Good, go with them." The lead agent ordered

Josh and Donna turned and were led towards the White House, both still clinging to each other. Looking at Donna, Josh had to know.

"When did they change our Secret Service names to Abbott and Costello?"

Donna smiled "Better question is why." squeezing Josh tighter, Donna knew that the moment she was at her desk, that she had to call Stanley. But, she also knew that if Josh could joke then it would be okay. He had to be, Donna couldn't stand the thought of losing him.

Jed Bartlet sat in the oval office impatiently looking at his watch again. Dammit, he had wanted to watch the Notre Dame game! Where was Josh and Control!

"It's been two hours now that I've been waiting." Jed reminded Leo and the others who sat just as restless. The only one that sat calmly was Percy Fitzwallace, nothing so it seemed could rattle the man.

"Yes Mr. President." Leo sighed having heard the same thing every ten minutes now for the last two hours "Josh said that this was an emergency." He reminded the President

"I didn't say it wasn't." Jed reminded him "I only commented that it's been two hours."

Suddenly both doors to the oval office opened and a dozen secret service agents poured into the room, startling the others.

The senior agent in charge Ron Butterfield looked to the President "Mr. President, we have a situation at the front gate." he told the group "No one is to move until we deem it safe."

Leo stood up "What is it Ron?"

Ron held up a hand and cupped his ear piece, then suddenly pulled his weapon "We have gunfire at the front gate." He announced as the other agents pulled their own weapons

CJ looked up, terror written on her face "Ron! Josh and Donna are there waiting for someone!"

Ron Butterfield held up his mini-microphone "Get more agents to the front gate, Abbot and Costello are out there now! Move!" he ordered

Horrified Jed looked to Leo "What are Josh and Donna doing out there!" he demanded to know, why the hell wasn't two of the people that he considered like a son and another daughter not in their offices!

"Josh was waiting to escort Control to us, as to Donna…" Leo shrugged

"She was taking Josh some coffee." CJ answered "Josh apparently thought the wait was only going to be a few minutes and didn't take his jacket."

The minutes passed agonizingly slow as the group waited nervously to find out if their friends were safe. Jed had taken to pacing with a deep scowl on his face, barking at the secret service, demanding answers. In his mind, Jed relived those awful days wondering if his son was going to pull through after being shot in the chest.

"We are clear." Ron finally announced putting his weapon away and sighed in relief "Both Josh and Donna are okay. Just shaken up, apparently they wound up in the middle of the fire fight."

"What the hell happened?" Jed demanded, relieved that his people were safe

"Reports are sketchy at the moment sir. Josh and Donna are on their way with someone from the CIA. They should be here any moment, they can tell us what happened."

Leo shook his head "Sorry Ron, but this is classified." Seeing the agent's face Leo relented "After this meeting, I'll send Josh and Donna to you for debriefing." he promised

"How's Josh though?" Toby asked, although he would never admit it aloud. Toby considered Josh to be one of his closest friends. "I mean is he freaking out?"

Leo suddenly realized as well "His post traumatic stress!"

Jed shook his head to Ron "You'll have to wait until morning to de-brief Josh. Tonight you can talk to Donna. CJ, get Stanley on the phone and tell him to stand by for a call back from Josh." he ordered

"Yes Mr. President." CJ reached for the phone and began to dial

Moments later a shaken Josh and Donna were led into the Oval office, Control behind them and more secret service bringing up the rear.

Jed moved from around his desk and hugged both of his "children".

"Are you alright?" he asked gently as he led them both to seats

"Fine Mr. President." Josh answered, grateful for this man's concern

"I need a drink." Donna sighed relieved to be surrounded by her friends and back inside the safety of the White House.

Leo quickly fixed two drinks and bought them over handing them to his still shaking friends.

"What happened?" Ron asked Josh "This is just a quick preliminary, I just want a brief statement of facts, we can go into detail tomorrow."

Josh shrugged "I don't know." He admitted "I was standing outside, waiting for Control." Josh pointed to the man. "Donna came out and gave me a cup of coffee and we were just talking. When suddenly we see Control barreling down the street on a motorcycle. Behind him are two cars with men hanging out the windows blowing the whole street to hell!" Josh quickly took a sip of his drink shaking even harder. Worried the others looked on horrified at the story they were being told.

Donna unconsciously began to rub his shoulders and took over "Josh called for the marine guard, and told them to protect the man on the bike. That was when the bullets began to slam around us." Donna wiped at her tears still frightened and also angry that someone had the temerity to actually do this here! "Josh threw me to the ground and placed himself over me. The next thing I know, the bike is crashing beside us. The marines and secret service are shooting at them." Donna closed her eyes "One car blew up, I think, the other took off down the street. A couple of agents were standing over us, covering us. I looked up and I saw one man jump out of the burning car, he pointed his gun at Control. Then the marines and secret service shot him." Donna broke down "They just kept shooting and shooting." Donna remembered how the man's body jerked from the impact of bullet after bullet.

CJ took Donna into her arms and led her out of the room, looking at Ron she shook her head "You'll have to wait awhile for her." she told him

"I understand, but we need to talk to her tonight." Ron turned to Control "We will need to talk to you as well."

"After I've spoken to the President, I will be available to you for as long as you need me." Control spoke calmly

Jed looked at Josh and patted his shoulder "Go, Stanley is waiting for your call."

Shaking his head Josh stood up "I'm fine Mr. President, I can call Stanley later. We need to hear what Control has found out."

Jed shook his head "Go now, Leo and Toby will fill you in later. Go on Josh, talk to Stanley and then go to Donna, she needs you." The President reminded his son.

Josh nodded defeated, knowing that he would not leave Donna alone at a time like this.

"Yes sir." Turning Josh began to walk out when Toby stopped him

"If you need to talk, or just get drunk, you just call me. At any time."

Josh smiled "Thanks." he hugged Toby and walked out.

Jed returned and sat down and pointed to Control "Okay Control, what the hell is going on?" he demanded to know

Taking a seat Control leaned forward and began "Mr. President, earlier this evening, I was at Sanctuary. We were working on our computers, one of my top agents was in the process of eliminating all of Puppet Masters old codes and changing our security protocols so that we could not be infiltrated by her. While he was doing this, he discovered a hidden root directory in our files. We opened the root file and saw a dozen files all large and containing a lot of information. We opened the first file labeled 'Armageddon'. Mr. President…" Control pulled out the disk "In that file, which I have a copy here, Puppet Master outlines a plan by which she means to start a war between the U.S. and the Middle East!"

"What!" Fitz sat up alert "What is she planning to do?"

Control shook his head in frustration, "It is all in code, everything has code names so we don't know exactly. We were hoping that the other files would tell us. But we tripped a security protocol in the system. It began to dump the files." Control looked at the President's shocked face "I'm sorry sir, but since our down grade, the agency has taken all of our good equipment and replaced it with old antiquated computers. We were only able to download the first file before the rest were erased. I have my people right now trying to recover as much information as we can."

"Do you know anything about their plans?" Leo asked

"Not specifically, I only skimmed the material before I called Mr. Lyman. However it mentions that Puppet Master has people in place at the CIA, NSA, FBI, the military and even the congress and senate. That is why I came directly here and not to the Agency over-site committee. I don't know who I can trust there. After what happened right now, I know I can't trust anyone at the agency, or Sanctuary for that matter."

"Jesus." Fitz shook his head suddenly realizing, "That is probably how they knew about operation Thor's Hammer, Mr. President. Someone tipped them off!" he announced angrily, now knowing that his people had been betrayed

Angry, Jed stood up and began to pace "So, what you are telling me is that Puppet Master is out to start a war, and we have no idea how she is going to do it, nor who we can trust in our own ranks!"

"Yes sir." Control agreed with the assessment "That is about it, we also have to review this information and try to decipher it as soon as we can."

"So what do we do now?" Leo asked Control "I mean who do we trust?" Who was left to trust Leo thought suddenly very afraid. This was a nightmare come true!

"Nobody" Control told them "No one outside your executive staff and you Admiral. I have a couple of people at Sanctuary that I know I can trust. Other than that…" Control shrugged

Jed sat down looking at his staff and to Control "So people what do we do now?"

Control square his shoulders and stared at the President "That is the easy part, Mr. President. We destroy them, before they destroy us." he said simply and coldly

"How do we do that? Who do we trust?" Toby asked scared thinking of his twins and his wife who was home and waiting for him.

Control sighed, this was the hard part. The part that he truly hated with all his heart.

"We do have one asset, that we can trust with anything, someone that I trust implicitly over anyone else." he told the group "But, you are not going to like it Mr. President."

"The hell with that!" Jed announced to the others "Who is it?"

"There is only one agent that I know of, who has faced this type of situation. Knows the players in this insanity and can possibly beat them."

"Who?" Leo repeated still confused

Control stared at the dawning recognition in the President's eyes

"Yes, Mr. President, we need Archangel."

"Archangel!" Leo stood up

"Yes Mr. MacGarry, we need him back. He's the only man that I would trust in this situation. The only man that even has a remote possibility of winning.

Jed looked over at his people, who stared back at him, waiting for his decision.

"I need to know something first." Jed said looking at Control.

"Sir?"

"Control of the CIA, said something about Archangel not being the same after 1999. I also remember Archangel's words to you about 1999. I need to know what happened. The agency says that Michael broke."

Control nodded, "Yes sir, he did as he was supposed to, it was a part of his mission." He explained

"His mission?" Toby asked confused

"Operation Back Stab." Control told them "Archangel was to let himself be taken by Bulgarian Secret Police. Allow himself to be tortured for a few weeks, then escape. He did his job and came home."

Leo stared at the man incredulously "Why the hell would you do such a thing?"
Control sighed, "There was a group of Bulgarians that were going to attempt a coup d'etat, we couldn't allow that because their financing was coming from a terror group. Archangel was sent in and told to give them bogus contact names, the names of those Bulgarians. The longer that Archangel held out, the more the information would be believed. Archangel held out for eight weeks, enduring their torture, then gave out those names. The Bulgarians believed it and the group was arrested and executed. Crisis averted."

Jed stared at the man "He allowed himself to be tortured?"

"Archangel knew what kind of chaos would have ensued with a coup. "He obviously didn't like it, but he accomplished his mission."

"No wonder he hates you." Toby shook his head

Jed thought another moment, "Bring him in." he ordered

Praetorian knocked on the door and waited until summoned. Opening it, he entered and went directly to Puppet Master.

"Our people missed, Control made it to the White House."

"Damn!" Puppet Master stared at her number 2 "Were you able to confirm what files they were able to download?"

"Yes, all they downloaded was the Armageddon file. All the others were erased and are beyond reach."

Puppet Master sat back "Good, the Armageddon file does not contain any thing of our operations. Just the broad outline, they will never figure it out in time. Control is going to have a hard enough time trying to figure out who he can trust."

Praetorian agreed with her assessment "So we continue on mission?"

"Yes, continue."

As the door closed, Puppet Master knew that she had to plan her next moves very carefully now. It was one thing to be able to do it in the open while everyone was still ignorant of the situation. However, now it was a new game, and secrecy and planning were now paramount.

"What would I do now?" she asked, wondering what she herself would do in Control's place. Suddenly it dawned on her.

"Of course." Picking up the phone she dialed a number

"Praetorian?" She asked quickly "Is Archangel still in Colorado Springs?"

"Yes, as of 48 hours ago."

"Okay, I want you to send one squad of Norsemen out there and have them standing by. If I were Control, I would try to bring Michael back into the fold. I doubt that he will come back, but if he does. We will take care of him then."

"I'm on it." Praetorian promised

Chapter 17 : Called back to duty

Jack was laughing at Lou Feretti's joke when the phone rang. Looking around Jack saw that neither Daniel nor Sam were around. Shrugging he picked up the phone and answered it.

"Jackson residence."

"Hello, I'd like to speak to Michael Angel." the voice told him

Confused Jack shrugged "Michael!" he called out spotting the man talking to Daisy

Michael looked over, Jack held up the phone.

"You got a call."

Daisy was surprised "Who would be calling you here?" she asked and suddenly realized that her brother had gone rigid and turned white.

"Michael? What's wrong?" Daisy asked concerned

Michael walked away from Daisy not answering her question and took the phone from Jack, who also noted that the man seemed like he was walking to his own execution.

"Hello, this is Michael Angel." Michael said hollowly, knowing exactly what was coming next. There was only one group who could possibly call him here and now.

There was a pause then finally "Confirmed, Mr. Angel, your presence is requested at the office." the voice told him "It's time for an Angel to take flight."

"What?" Michael asked again in shock

"Your presence is needed at the office. It's time for an Angel to take flight."

"Go to hell!" Michael yelled startling the group. Slamming the phone down, Michael headed towards the door.

Confused George Hammond went to his son "Michael? Son what happened?" he asked as Jenny and Daisy went to his side.

Eyes blazing Michael turned to his father "Were you in on this!" he demanded to know

Now even more confused George led his son away from the group.

"What are you talking about Michael? Who was that on the phone?"

"Sanctuary." Michael hissed quietly "They want me to come in for a mission."

"That's impossible!" Daisy shook her head in shock "You don't work for them anymore!"

"I know." he told the others confused himself "Still they want me back."

George grabbed his jacket at the same time handing Michael his "Come on son, we'll go to the Mountain. I'll get on the secure phone and talk directly to the President. We'll sort this nonsense out right now." he promised

The phone rang in the oval office and Leo picked it up.

"For you." He told Control

Control took the phone and listened "Okay, NO! I definitely don't want anyone sent to bring him in. Just hold until told otherwise." Hanging up the phone Control turned to face the President.

"Archangel, has refused to come in. He said, to go to hell."

Jed shook his head in frustration "I knew that wouldn't work." he admitted to the others "I mean why the hell would he come in if we just ask. No, we need to show him, he has to understand why he is coming in."

Toby looked up "I have an idea sir."

"What is it Toby?" Leo asked at this point ready for any kind of suggestion.

Toby nodded and began, "Well we are scheduled to go to Los Angeles tomorrow and visit the site of the explosion, and then meet with the families. What if we postpone it for say 24 hours."

"How is that going to help?" Jed asked confused by the plan

"Well sir, I mean we leave here on schedule. Then perhaps we can have some 'mechanical difficulties' over Colorado Springs and have to make an emergency landing. And because of the heightened state of alert, it would be required for you to be kept at a secure location."

Jed nodded in understanding "Somewhere like perhaps Cheyenne mountain?"

"Where we could try to convince Archangel to come in and talk there. Face to face." Toby pointed out

The red phone on the President's desk rang. Leo looked up.

"What do you want to bet that is General Hammond calling, demanding to know what the hell is going on."

Jed shook his head "No bet." he said and picked up the line

Control broke into the conversation "Sir, tell him it's 'little boy blue'. Michael will understand."

Jed nodded and began to speak.

George Hammond hung up the phone and faced his son and daughter "The President says that he will be here tomorrow. He wants you here Michael, he says that it's a matter of national security." Confused George shrugged his shoulders to his son "He said to tell you it's about 'little boy blue'?"

Michael sat down heavily placing his head in his hands "I don't care…I don't care…I don't care." He repeated over and over again not wanting to get involved again in the shadow world.

"Michael?" Daisy was now frightened as she stared at her brother's reaction "What is it? Please tell us!"

Michael looked up, wanting so desperately to cry at this moment "Little boy blue, is a Sanctuary code, it means imminent nuclear threat."

Air Force One had just entered the state of Colorado, when the pilot made the announcement

"Your attention please, this is General Mackey, we seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties at this time. It is nothing to be concerned about, however just as a safety precaution we will be landing in ten minutes in Colorado Springs. So everyone please buckle in, we will be making our descent in just a moment."

CJ strapped herself in her seat, as reporters in the press corps yelled questions out to her.

"CJ what is wrong with the plane?"

CJ shrugged and lied perfectly "I don't know Katy, I'm neither a pilot nor a mechanic. Everyone relax, if it was something serious, we would have been told."

Danny sat back in his seat and buckled up, remaining silent he knew that it was too much a coincidence that just a few days after the bombing in LA and only twelve hours after some group of unidentified men had started a fire fight right in front of the White House, and the fact that they were now making an unscheduled stop in a city that just happened to be home to one of the deadliest men on the planet. All of this was just too much for this journalist to swallow. Something was definitely up.

As the president and his senior staff made their way to vehicles, CJ made her next announcement to the press.

"Guys, because of the heightened state of security, the President, the first family and staff are going to be housed at a military facility. Until the problem with Air Force One is sorted out, if you will board the buses behind you, they will take you to your hotel." Without pausing to answer the one hundred questions the press were hurling at her. CJ Quickly made her way to the dark colored SUV and got inside. The motorcade with police escort pulled out towards Cheyenne mountain.

In the lead car, Jed stared at his daughters and held tightly to his wife's hand. His stomach was churned into knots, guilt and anger waged war inside of him. On the one hand he needed Michael, needed his skills more than ever at this moment. Yet he had also given Michael his word. Right at this moment for the airfare back to Manchester, Jed Bartlet would gladly resign his office and let someone else deal with the mess.

Abby squeezed his hand offering her comfort, "It will be alright Jed."

Ellie Bartlet stared at her father, true that most of her life she had been very much intimidated by him. As a child her father, Jed Bartlet seemed like a king, men and women jumped when he spoke. She knew however that her father loved her, she had her doubts at one time. But, her father had made her see the truth. That he loved her just as much as her two sisters, that he was just as proud of her and her accomplishments. That is why seeing her father like this now was so frightening. Ellie had never seen her father this nervous, this afraid of anyone, and that frightened her. Especially after what had happened last night, when the secret service agents had burst into the sitting room where she and her mother and Zoe had been talking. That there were actually gun men at the front gate. Ellie had actually stood up and tried to make it to the oval office, she just had to be sure that her father was okay. She hadn't been there the night that her father had been shot before, but she remembered the terror that she had felt that night as she watched the news. The secret service refusing to let her go to the hospital, fearing that someone might try and kill her. Just as before the secret service had not allowed them to move, until it was deemed safe. After being assured that the her father was indeed safe, Ellie began to relax, but it wasn't until she saw him with her own eyes that she had relaxed completely. Throwing herself into his arms and making sure that her eyes were not deceiving her.

"Daddy!" she cried as she felt his arms go around her

"I'm fine." He told her stroking her hair

Abby and Zoe both took their turns hugging him

"Where the hell have you been Jed!" Abby demanded to know "It's been three hours!" Three hours that she'd been scared out of her mind wondering if her husband was okay.

For the first time in his presidency Jed Bartlet sat down three of the four most important women in his life down and explained what happened, the complete an unvarnished truth. Then he went on to explain what he had learned from Control, and what had been decided to be the best course of action.

Abby was shocked to say the least "This Puppet Master woman has gotten hold of nuclear materials?"

"And you think that she is trying to start a war?" Ellie asked suddenly feeling very cold

"Yes." Jed admitted "Now I have to do something that…Dammit." he slammed his fist into his hand "I have to do something and I don't know if it is the right thing to do."

"What do you have to do daddy?" Ellie asked nervously comforted by Zoe's arms around her as they both listened to their father.

Jed poured himself a drink "After reviewing the files, it is now obvious that Puppet Master has people inside our administration. No one on the executive staff level, still she has people who have infiltrated the CIA, FBI and NSA, plus a congressman and senator. The problem is that we don't know who! We only know their codenames."

"Jesus Jed!" Abby sat down heavily "Who do we trust!"

Jed shrugged "That is just it, we don't know who we can trust. Now I have to do something that I swore I wouldn't do. Still I'm being told by Control of Sanctuary, all of my staff including Leo, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs that I have to do it and do it now."

"What!" Abby demanded to know what the hell was going to happen now.

"Archangel, Abby." He said miserably "He is the only man for the job, the only man that we can trust. The only man who has the necessary skills to track down these people and remove the threat of nuclear war."

"Remove?" Zoe asked, not liking the sound of that word

"Kill them." Jed told his family "Control told me that this ends in one of two ways, one we win, the other we lose, there is no in between, no truce." Jed stood up refilling his drink he stared out into the night "If we lose, God only knows how many people will die."

"Jesus dad." Ellie sat down heavily not knowing how to feel about all this information. Ellie decided that she liked it better when her father didn't tell her about his job.

"What's the problem Jed?" Abby questioned her husband, knowing that there was more.

Jed turned and faced them "Michael has done enough!" he told them "I promised him Abby, I looked the man in the eye and promised him that we would never call on him again. I promised him that he would never have to hold a gun ever again."

"He will understand Jed." Abby rubbed her husbands shoulders, at times like this she wished that she had made a tougher stand when Jed had decided to run for re-election.

Jed shook his head unsure "I don't know Abby, he is one man after all. One man who has been used and abused by us. The one man who has the necessary skills." Jed admitted and then turned to his family "Listen, tomorrow…" Jed laid out the plans for the family

Now Ellie stared at her father and saw his worry, his fear that Archangel might say no. Coming to her own decision, Ellie squared her shoulders.

"I want to meet him dad."

Jed stared at his daughter confused for a moment and realized what she was saying.

"Me too." Abby admitted realizing that she and her daughter had the same thought at the same moment

"No" Jed shook his head "No way."

Ellie was just as stubborn "I will never tell anyone what he looks like, but I have to meet him."

"Why?" Jed asked confused

Calmly Ellie stated her reasons for needing to meet Michael to her father, "Because I am a part of the first family, a part of this administration. I know that I knew nothing about it until it was too late to do anything about it, even if I could do something about the whole thing. You didn't know either dad, and I know how guilty you felt when you met him the last time. I have to meet him, I have to say that I'm sorry for what we did. Sorry for what we put him through."

"I agree." Abby smiled at her daughter proudly, she couldn't have put it better herself

"Make that three." Zoe smiled at her father

Jed smiled at his three ladies, feeling prouder of his daughters and wife than he ever thought possible. "Make that four."

Stanley Keyworth stood at the mouth of Cheyenne Mountain waiting for the Presidential motorcade. Stanley had been anxious since he heard about what had happened the night before. Anxious for his patient Josh Lyman, hoping that the man was doing okay. Speaking on the phone for an hour and a half had been good for Josh, but still Stanley needed to see and talk to him in person and just make sure that Josh was doing okay. He also needed to speak to Donna, half of the time that he'd spent on the phone with Josh. Josh had been worried to death for Donna, Josh explained that Donna had actually witnessed from not a dozen feet away, a man being shot to death. Stanley knew only too well how traumatic that experience could be for someone. He had promised Josh that he would speak to her if Donna would allow it. Still if worse came to worse, Stanley would go over her head and have her ordered to talk to him by someone on the staff. The other thing that confused him, was why the president was coming at all. Surely it wasn't just for two of his people to talk to him, or perhaps Jed Bartlet was experiencing something in his life right now that he needed help with. Perhaps knowing that two people that he cared about were being shot at, and him helpless to help them had affected him. Stanley knew from experience how deeply the President actually felt things Yet that didn't make sense, why would the president come to him. One phone call and Stanley would have been on the next plane, but that would have been abandoning Michael. Stanley knew that they were at a critical stage with Michael's therapy. Stanley had to be there and walk him through the next couple of months if not a couple of years. Stanley had made a promise to himself that he would help Michael as long as it took, and Stanley took his promises seriously. So much so that he had actually rented a house in town, and had bought up his family to stay in Colorado Springs for the duration. His wife Sophia had not understood at the time, but she understood when her husband told her that this one patient was the most important patient that he would ever treat. It was just a good thing that his children were still young and the move had not affected them much. They were still at the age when this was considered a great adventure. Stanley was snapped out of his thoughts as the motorcade arrived. He waited patiently as the large group was issued with ID badges and finally headed towards him.

Jed smiled spotting the man and held out a hand "Stanley, good to see you again."

"Thank you Mr. President, it's good to see you."

"You remember my wife, and these are two of my daughters."

After introductions were made the group made their way into the mountain and down the first elevator. Both Ellie and Zoe were intimidated by their surroundings, but kept it to themselves.

Stanley looked to Josh and Donna, "How are you two?" he asked studying them closely to make sure that neither of them lied to him.

"Good" Catching Stanley's eye Josh shrugged "I've been better." he admitted still shaken from the previous nights adventure.

"I've set aside a room for us to talk, the three of us." Stanley told Donna, who simply nodded, needing to talk to someone.

"It will have to be later." Josh told him "I think that someone else is going to be needing you more than us."

"What?" Stanley was now confused

The President got right down to business "How is Michael doing?" he asked

"Good sir, we've made some progress." Stanley told him, not wanting to say too much to with so many people around.

"Good, Toby." Jed looked to the man "Where is he?"

Toby looked down the passageway "He's coming now Mr. President."

Stanley looked over and spotted the man he'd met only once before, "Control?" Bells began to go off in Stanley's head "What is going on Mr. President!" Stanley demanded "What is he doing here!"

"We will explain everything." Jed promised as they entered the conference room.

"NO! Mr. President." Stanley shot out of his chair, after listening to what the group wanted to do, "You cannot do this!"

"We have to do it Stanley." Jed told him calmly

"You will destroy him, Mr. President." Stanley warned "He is not the same man that he was a few months ago! Michael has begun to open up his emotions, things that he's kept buried for years are now coming up! You add this stress on top of the stress he is already under and you will break him. There is just so much that the human mind can take!"

Control shook his head in disagreement "Archangel is stronger than you give him credit for doctor."

"And you obviously think that he is stronger than he really is!" Stanley argued back, turning back to the President, he explained "Just a week ago, Michael was trapped in his memories. It was like a tidal wave coming over him and nearly drowning him. He snapped Mr. President! He became violent and hurt three men, without meaning to do it! He put them in the hospital, where they are going to stay for weeks. One of them should be back on solid foods next week! He…"

Jed held up a hand and cut Stanley off "We need him back. We can deal with the rest afterwards."

"There might not be much left afterwards!" Stanley warned not liking this one bit.

Josh shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he didn't like the sound of this so far. Josh certainly didn't want to be the one that helped push a man over the edge of sanity. Sighing, Josh decided to just stick to the facts before them and deal with the rest when it came.

"Stanley." Josh began sliding over a piece of paper "We know that you have the clearance to hear what is happening, and why exactly we need Michael back. In fact we want you with us every step of the way and try to help him deal with all of this. However, we would like you to sign this non-disclosure agreement, it basically says that you will never speak to anyone about this, ever."

Stanley took the paper and read it through twice, staring around the room, he saw that everyone was perfectly serious about dragging his patient back into a world that Michael hated. Whatever was going on must be very serious, and Stanley was not about to let Michael face it alone. Who knows how far into his own head Michael might go, how far back this could set back his recovery. Pulling out a pen, Stanley quickly signed it and pushed it back to Josh.

Control turned to Cypher, "You ready?" he asked wanting this briefing to go just like any other that Archangel ever attended in the past.

"I just need to find… Never mind". Cypher smiled "Found it." as he finished hooking his portable computer. "I'm just so happy to get MY equipment back." he caressed the silver box which contained one of the most powerful computers in the world. Definitely the most powerful laptop in the world.

"Gadget?" Control called to another man, an older man, with streaked grey hair and wearing half glasses. Dressed almost like a college professor down to the pipe and jacket with padded elbows. The man codenamed Gadget could pass for a history teacher at any major university. To a select few however, he was the man, the genius who came up with the inventions that were actually used in the field.

Patting his case Gadget pulled his unlit pipe from his mouth, "I'm all set Control."

"You bought Archangels usual gear?" Control asked making sure that not one detail was over looked for any reason.

"Yes, Control, it's upstairs at the moment. I was told that they were going to bring it down."

"Good." Control looked at his watch "Okay it's a quarter until noon. That means that Archangel will be here in eight minutes."

CJ stared at the man curiously "How do you know he will be here in exactly eight minutes? I mean why not ten or twelve? Or be late altogether."

Cypher laughed as he finished his connections and switched on his computer letting it boot up.

"Ms. Cregg, Archangel is always, and I mean always, seven minutes early to everything."

"Usually to the second." Gadget agreed

At exactly seven minutes before noon, Michael Hammond entered the room, closely followed by his father. George Hammond once again in uniform entered the room and saluted the President, as Michael ignored him altogether and sat down.

"Good morning Mr. President." George Hammond shook Jed's hand

"Good morning." Michael told them all politely "Dr. Bartlet, a pleasure to meet you Both Miss. Bartlet's as well."

"You too…ah…" Abby was confused as to how she should address the agent. Zoe and Ellie just smiled. Neither of them had known what to expect, what exactly did a deadly spy looked like? Neither had expected such a handsome man to walk into the room.

"My name is Michael ma'am."

"Michael" Abby smiled at the man.

"Archangel." Control corrected wanting his former agent back into familiar thought patterns

Michael shook his head "I haven't agreed to anything." He reminded Control "I only agreed to listen."

Control sighed, and for the first time wished that Michael was still on the payroll. That way Control could just order Michael to do whatever it was that needed to be done.

"Very well, Michael" Control conceded the point for the moment "General Hammond you may go."

"No." George announced settling himself with more comfort into his seat "Whatever you have to say to my son, will be said in front of me."

Michael grinned when he saw Control's discomfort.

"It's fine." The President told him "Let's get down to business."

"Okay Michael, this is the deal." Control began to lay out all the of their present circumstance.

Chapter 18: Friends in danger

Ancient City of Babylon

Present Day Iraq, Near Syrian Border

6 AM

Dr. Amanda Owens wiped away the sweat from her eyes and drank some much needed water. Feeling the water's icy chillness to the very tip of her toes. Pulling off the scrunchie off of her long blonde hair Amanda quickly re-gathered her tresses and pulled them back tightly into a pony-tail. Looking over at the mess area and saw that she was not the only one up on this particularly hot morning. Smiling she made her way over to her two friends.

"Hey Syd, Nigel, you guys sleep alright? Sorry we are cramped for space." she added knowing that they were one tent short. Amanda had been about to offer to share her own tent with Sydney, when Sydney had dragged her assistant off to the smallish tent for them both to share.

"Fine." Nigel sipped his coffee as he typed on his laptop, "Believe me, we have slept in worse places."

Sydney nodded her head in agreement, still silently sipping on her coffee. She definitely needed a few more minutes to be conscious.

"I guess Nigel wore you out last night, huh Syd." Amanda teased seeing how tired Sydney looked this morning.

That did the trick! Sydney's eyes snapped open and eyed her friend, as Nigel spit out his morning coffee.

"What?"

Amanda kept her face completely innocent, 'you two are so blind, and to put it bluntly a little stupid not to see how much you love each other.' she thought to herself, but aloud Amanda shrugged.

"I mean, Nigel couldn't stop talking about the riddles that you two have to solve on this one. I figured that he probably kept you up all night trying to decipher it all."

"Oh no, I'm not a morning person, that's all." Sydney sighed in relief as did Nigel

Sydney pulled her hair back and into a ponytail to keep her hair out of her face. Knowing that half the dig probably thought that she and Nigel were a couple. After a couple of the events of the pervious night, Sydney knew that she couldn't blame them for those beliefs.

It had taken them the better part of a week to get the necessary authorization to go into Iraq. The new government anxious to maintain their new relations with the United Nations. So they had opened their borders to the small multi national group of archeologists so that they could do some exploration in the ancient city. Finally after all the red tape, she and Nigel had caught the first of a series of planes, first to Paris then to Saudi Arabia, and then finally to Iraq. Sydney had been so excited, she actually felt like a school girl again and heading out on her first great adventure. Sydney smiled in affection at her teaching assistant Nigel, knowing that he hadn't been much better. After all they were among the first archeologists to step foot in the ruins of Babylon in a generation!

They were met at the airport by Amanda, who had been one of Sydney's school mates from long, long ago in boarding school. The two women had talked almost non-stop during most of the long drive to the dig-site, reminiscing and catching each other up on the latest happenings in their lives.

Amanda, or so it seemed to Sydney, had taken a more than instant liking to Nigel. At first Sydney smiled watching her two friends getting to know each other, but then Amanda started to get a bit personal. Like she was measuring Nigel up to be the next notch on Amanda's belt. That was when Sydney stopped smiling and began to jump into their conversation and began to deflect it towards the dig, and what they were now facing. Amanda noticed immediately what her old friend was doing and being a good friend, backed off.

Sydney for her own part was worried that she had over-stepped it this time. That this time she had gone just a little too far and that Nigel would notice how she had changed the direction of the conversation. Sydney had looked into the face of her handsome assistant and let out a silent sigh of relief, Nigel had not noticed a thing! Staring out the car window Sydney began to wonder when her feelings for her assistant had begun to change.

Nigel had been so green in the beginning, having only wanted, in his own words, a small quiet teaching position surrounded by his books. Sydney had to smile remembering the very first glimpse of her that Nigel had gotten was a spear being hurled at him, by her. At first Sydney was afraid that Nigel would not last long as her assistant, after all not many did, Nigel was the tenth assistant in two years! It took a lot of guts, stamina and brains to be able to keep up with Sydney Fox. Even though Nigel, stumbled and bumbled through their first few relic hunts together. Nigel always came through for her, no matter what it was. Of course now and again Nigel needed a push in the right direction, but when the chips were down. Sydney knew that she could count on him to be there for her.

Soon their relationship had changed, from boss and assistant, to friends, to good friends and finally to best friends. Sydney could never remember having a better friendship in her life, especially with a man! What made Nigel different was that while he knew that Sydney was a woman, he also knew that she was a very capable woman. One who knew her job, and did it well, if not better than most others. Nigel didn't feel the need to protect the 'little woman', that Sydney Fox could out fight most men! Nigel was not afraid to ask Sydney for her help in a dangerous situation and they had faced many dangerous situations in the last five years together. Most important of all was that Sydney also knew that she could trust Nigel, that Nigel would never, ever stab her in the back. Unlike many of her ex-lovers and rival relic hunters, Nigel became the rock that centered her and never wavered in his loyalty towards her. Nigel was the one who paused to think and forced her to stop and think, before rushing into a possibly dangerous situation. Sydney could not have asked for more in a partner or a friend.

Now though, after five years and many adventures together. Sydney was seeing Nigel in a whole new light. Sydney was not blind and she knew that the young brit was handsome, very handsome. A nice smile, beautiful eyes and a very cute butt, still Sydney had always seen him as her assistant or best friend. Sydney couldn't count on her fingers the number of women who had come along and had been taken by Nigel's looks and even more so by his politeness, and manners. Then one day about six months previously, a woman came back into Nigel's and Syd's life. Kate Hemphill, Interpol agent and ex-girl friend of Nigel Bailey, came back into town. Instantly, Syd knew that they were in for a rough time. Especially knowing how much trouble they had in the past when she and Nigel got involved with the Interpol agent. Then there was the fact that Nigel still loved the woman, even after she had broken his heart time and time again. Although Syd knew what was coming, she felt that it was not her place to interfere with Nigel's love life. Especially since Nigel seemed so happy to see Kate after nearly half a year. But just as Syd had predicted, Kate blew into town, stayed about a month at Nigel's. Then proceeded to get both Nigel and her into one of Kate's Interpol operations, with danger, intrigue and of course the deadly opponents with large caliber guns. Sydney wouldn't have minded so much, if Kate had not lied to them about the whole thing, and then had proceeded to get Nigel shot!

It was there in the hospital that Sydney finally admitted to herself that she loved Nigel. There had always been the innocent flirtation between them, occasionally a shared kiss, when the situation demanded it. Of course Syd had always told herself afterwards that it had been necessary at the time, and just because she had enjoyed it, it didn't mean anything. However, watching Nigel hooked up to a bunch of machines that were keeping his heart pumping and his lungs taking in air, was too much for her. At first they wouldn't even let Sydney near him, because she was not family. As if Nigel could have closer family than her! If it hadn't been for her father showing up at just the right time, the world would now be short one stupid doctor. Sydney had approached the bed, intimidated by all the machines that were now beeping and humming. Then the worst happened and Nigel's heart stopped. Doctors, nurses with a crash cart barreled into the room and literally pushed a paralyzed Sydney to one side, so that they could get to the patient. After what seemed like hours, they had restarted his heart and Sydney could relax for the moment. Collapsing into her father's strong arms and allowing herself to cry and be comforted by him.

Randall Fox held his baby girl in his arms and stroked her hair "It's going to be okay Sydney, Nigel is going to pull through." He promised her.

Two weeks in intensive care, Sydney was there the whole time. Their secretary Karen running back and forth between the hospital and the university, making sure that both Sydney's and Nigel's desks were kept clear of any work. Canceling classes, or booking guest lecturers to take over for Sydney and Nigel. Sydney was a wreck, her usual impeccable appearance was now drawn and haggard from the lack of sleep and poor diet. Eating only when forced to by Karen, who reminded her that it would do Nigel no good if she got sick as well.

Kate had stopped by only once, and that was for five minutes. Just to see how Nigel was getting along and to tell Sydney that Interpol was picking up all the hospital bills. Then Kate stated how sorry she was but that she had another assignment and that she had to go. That was when Sydney exploded.

"How DARE you do this to Nigel again!" she demanded of the agent who was startled by Syd's anger. Karen glared at Kate too, but was smart enough to keep her mouth shut. The way her boss's eyes were blazing at the moment, Karen did not think it a good idea to interrupt.

"Syd? What's wrong with you?" Kate asked completely confused

Syd's eyes opened wide in shock, that the woman had the nerve to even ask that question.

"What is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you! You can't just come into town, stay a few weeks, have your fun with Nigel. Then get him involved in another one of your cracked, insane operations, get us both almost killed get Nigel shot and then just leave again!" Syd shook her head, her anger mounting by the moment "Look at him for Christ's sake!" Sydney demanded "Nigel almost died this time because of you! Now the mission is over and Kate just walks away and leaves it for me and Karen to pick up the pieces. Until the next time that is, until you need Nigel to translate something for you, or knows someone that you are trying to get close to, or knows about a particular subject. Or just because you are in town and feeling a little horny and want to kill some time at Nigel's expense."

Kate shook her head "Syd, I don't want to go, but I have to. Like it or not I have a very important job to do here."

"So Nigel isn't that important?" Sydney demanded angrily, unable to believe that she had once thought of Kate as a friend "Well honey, let me tell you this, and you better pay attention because I am only going to say it once. Stay away from Nigel! If you need some one to translate something for you, find someone else to do it for you. You need Nigel to introduce you to someone that only he knows, you had better find another way. You feeling a bit horny, well get yourself off. Stay away from Nigel, because if you don't, I swear to God I will kill you myself." Sydney warned

Hurt by Sydney's outburst, Kate suddenly realized how Sydney felt about Nigel. Suddenly wishing that she could feel the same way about the kind and gentle man who was still unconscious. However Kate knew that her job was more important to her, more important than any relationship. No matter how wonderful the man actually was, her career came first.

Kate nodded and wiped her tears away "Take care of him, Syd, and don't make the same mistakes that I've made." she said and quickly left.

Syd's anger faded leaving her exhausted, collapsing in her seat, Syd once again reached for Nigel's hand, when a nurse entered the room looking angry as well.

"What is going on here?" She demanded keeping her voice low "If you people are going to be starting yelling matches in here…"

"I'm sorry." Sydney wiped away her own tears of anger and frustration, "It won't happen again." She promised

The nurse relented seeing the other woman's tears, "Okay, but please remember, Mr. Bailey needs rest right now, not people yelling over him."

Once the nurse was gone, Karen walked over to Sydney and wrapped her arms around her boss and friend.

"You did right!" Karen told her "That bitch doesn't deserve someone like Nigel." For the first time realizing how much Sydney Fox actually loved Nigel "It's okay, we will see Nigel through this, you and me." She promised kissing her friend on the cheek.

Nigel had recovered and as expected was hurt when he found out that Kate had left him again. Still with time and patience, Nigel came back to work and became the Nigel that they all knew and loved.

Love, Sydney stared into the desert, not knowing what to do about her present situation. It should be simple, she should just go to Nigel and tell him how she feels. How she felt in the hospital having watched him almost die. How her heart had stopped when his did, forcing the doctors to shock him with a defibrillator. How Sydney's heart only started beating again, when his did. Still she could not bring herself to say the words. Sydney Fox had faced many dangers, faced men who were hell bent on sending her to her maker. Countless times she faced death and Sydney had laughed at it, as if meant nothing to her. Now, this one geeky, cute as hell British man, had the great Sydney Fox shaking in her boots. Sydney was terrified about what would happen if Nigel said no, that he just wanted to remain her best friend. Or even worse, actually drive Nigel to leave her all together. Sydney knew that she would rather face any danger, any risk, except for that particular one.

When they finally had arrived at the site and were introduced to the other archeologists on the dig. The group realized that they were one tent short. Several of the female grad students had eagerly offered to share their accommodations with Nigel, who being Nigel while not totally blind to the effect he had on women, was none the less very intimidated by their brazen offers, and instantly blushed. Syd, shook her head, it was late and she was tired and not interested in staring down all of these women. Had simply solved the problem by grabbing Nigel's hand, and leading him to her tent. Although now Syd was afraid that her actions might be beginning to show to Nigel. That maybe Nigel would realize how she felt about him. That thought both excited and terrified her at the same time.

Nigel Bailey settled down after Amanda had explained her meaning about her remark. Nigel had been afraid that Sydney might see through him. As always afraid how Sydney would react if she found out how he really felt about her. Nigel Bailey knew himself very well, and he knew, just knew that he had no chance with the exotic beauty by his side. Nigel knew that if Sydney ever found out about his feelings, that she would probably laugh at him.

'Oh God how did I ever get myself in this situation?' he wondered silently

How could he allow himself to fall in love with Sydney Fox. Of all the women there were in the world, roughly a couple of billion of them, why did he have to fall for the one that he could never have. Especially after meeting a whole lot of Sydney Fox's ex-boyfriends and lovers, everyone of them handsome, every one of them built like some over blown Adonis. And here was Nigel Bailey, skinny and wimpy compared to all the rest.

Nigel remembered all too clearly not a seven months ago when Kate had returned into his life. Nigel had readily accepted her back into his life, not because he loved the Interpol agent. Simply because he was hoping that Kate would drive away the feelings that he now had for Syd. It had even been nice in the beginning, coming home and finding someone there waiting for him. What did it matter if it was not the person who he wanted waiting for him. Soon he found himself comparing Kate to Sydney, and Kate was a poor second to his mind. This made Nigel feel guilty, he felt as if he was using this woman just for his own pleasure. Still, soon enough it was obvious that Kate was not just in town to see him. No, Kate had soon enough got him involved in another one of her crazy capers. One which left him in the hospital for a month! The only good thing about waking up in the hospital, besides waking up period, was the fact that Sydney was there. Nigel couldn't care less who else was there, as long as Sydney was near by.

Now Nigel had a suspicion that something was not right with Sydney. She had been acting very strangely since his release from the hospital. First, Sydney had almost driven him up the wall, by mothering him to death. Insisting that he stay in her spare bedroom until he was better. Then anytime, any woman began to flirt with him, Sydney somehow became involved in the conversation. Usually Syd watched with a smile on her face, as he became flustered by a woman's attention to him. Now though Syd was becoming involved and very deftly moving the subject away from flirtation and to anything else. As if she was jealous, or something. No, Nigel decided, Syd was just trying to protect him, from what he didn't exactly know, but he knew from Karen that Syd and Kate had words over the subject of him. Perhaps Syd was trying to keep him from being hurt again, perhaps Syd thought that he couldn't stand another loss like that, that perhaps Nigel might fall apart all together…

Nigel's thoughts were cut off as Sydney closed the top of his laptop.

"Hey Nigel, earth to Nigel!" Sydney laughed as she put a plate of sausages and eggs in front of him "What were you thinking about so hard?"

"Oh" Nigel blinked and thought quickly "Ju...just trying to make sense of these blasted riddles." he smiled

'Why are you lying to me Nigel?' Sydney thought to herself, hurt that Nigel felt that he couldn't confide in her anymore 'Why won't you trust me, and talk to me? If this is about Kate, I'll understand.'

Still smiling Sydney pushed the plate towards Nigel "Eat up, the doctor says that you need some fattening up."

"As you wish Mrs. Bailey." Nigel laughed, secretly wishing it was true

"Mrs. Bailey?" Amanda blinked as she joined them "Are you two married? If you are Nigel, you are disappointing a whole lot of girls here." she laughed

Sydney laughed it off, secretly feeling the same as Nigel "No, we're not married. You see awhile back Nigel was hurt."

"Shot" Nigel corrected her, wondering why Sydney could never say the word

Sydney cringed when ever Nigel actually used that word, it always reminded her of how close she actually came to losing him, "Yeah, that." Syd fought to keep the smile on her face, and barely succeeded

"Oh my God!" Amanda was shocked "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Nigel waved off her concern

"Anyway, at first the hospital wouldn't let me see him because I'm not family. I was about to kill one pompous doctor, when my dad showed up with my step-mom, Jenny." Sydney had been so happy that her father was there, she had been quickly falling apart and needed her father to help her.

"Anyway, he told the doctor that I was Nigel's wife. So I became Mrs. Bailey, it was the only way they'd let me see him." Sydney explained

"I get it." Amanda smiled, then asked "How is Randall?"
"Good" Sydney admitted "He just remarried to a nice woman and we are getting along great."
"That's good. So many times you hear horror stories about step-moms…" Amanda was about to elaborate, when the gunfire began.

The trio ducked as holes began to appear in the tent that housed the kitchen. Nigel grabbed Sydney and threw her down, as Syd was preparing to run outside.

"Are you bloody mad!" he demanded angrily "Those are a hell of a lot of guns Syd. You will get yourself killed!"

Sydney hated to admit it, but Nigel was right. There were definitely a whole lot of men out there with a lot of guns. There was no possible way for her to take them all, especially since she was unarmed.

Suddenly the gunfire stopped and men dressed in desert camo gear entered the tent.

Sydney looked up and saw that they were surrounded by at least a dozen men, all of them armed with automatic weapons. The man who seemed to be in charge and was pointing and ordering the others around, turned to them. Syd stared at the cruel face, small dark angry eyes and a long unkempt beard on a barrel chest and short stocky legs.

"All of you will stand!" he ordered "You are now prisoners of the Muslim Freedom Movement."

Nigel pushed up his glasses looking over to Syd "I think we may have a problem here."

The group was ushered out into the blazing desert, where they saw three trucks and two jeeps were parked. Nigel and Sydney practically carried a terrified Amanda to the indicated truck and got on board. Soon they were followed by three of the female assistants and two other men who Sydney hadn't been introduced to yet. Three terrorists got into the truck as another stood in back his weapon trained on them. Sydney looked for a way to escape, but quickly realized that escape, for the moment at least, was impossible.

The small caravan drove through the desert, hour after hour they drove on in the blazing heat. Nigel wiped the sweat off his brow and pulled off his glasses as he began to look around.

"I think that we've left Iraq." he whispered to Syd

"What?" Syd asked her eyes never leaving the gunmen

"I think we have entered Syria, Syd."

Sydney shook her head "Oh Nigel, can't we ever just have a normal, uneventful dig?" she complained.

Nigel stared at her in shock, "Hey!" Nigel complained "That's my line."

Despite their situation, Syd couldn't help laughing.

It was sunset when they finally reached a large structure that looked like an old abandoned fort. High walls surrounded the area, entering the structure. Sydney knew that escape would be nearly impossible as she saw at least another hundred men and women milling around. Everyone of them armed with machine guns. The truck that they were in stopped in front of a small building. The prisoners were unloaded and lined up against the wall.

"What do you want from us!" Amanda demanded tears in her eyes

"SILENCE!" one of the guards roared as he slapped Amanda across the face

The lead man was looking them over, when he suddenly pointed to Nigel. "That one." he ordered

Nigel was grabbed and marched away from the group "Sydney, you do nothing, do you understand me. You stay alive!" Nigel yelled back to her, as he saw that Sydney was preparing to do something very foolish. Considering that they were surrounded by Muslim extremists, Nigel knew that any move that Sydney made now, would only get her killed.

Two of the men who she now knew were fellow archeologists Stan and John grabbed Sydney before she could do anything.

"Stop it, you'll only end up getting us all killed." Stan warned her

"Where are they taking him?" Sydney demanded as she watched Nigel disappear into a large tent.

"I don't know, but Syd we can't do a thing to help him right now." John told her "No matter how much we would love to help you." he admitted painfully, he had been beginning to like Nigel.

The rest of the group were led inside the small building and to a narrow staircase that led down. The area was large and held a large amount of cells, the room almost completely dark, with the exception of a small slit in the back wall. Which allowed only a feeble amount of light to penetrate the dank cells. One guard opened the door and ushered in the prisoners, then slammed the cell door shut and locked it. Two men positioned themselves across from the cell at least ten feet away from the bars, where no one could grab them, Sydney noted frustrated, wondering what was happening to Nigel.

"This looks like an old fort, probably the French Foreign Legion built it. This is the cell area obviously." Stan stated the obvious to the group

"Who's there?" A weak voice called making the group jump

Sydney moved across the large dark cell and found four men in uniform. All of whom were battered and dirty.

"My name is Sydney Fox, who are you?"

"Major Simon Ellis, United States Army, Delta Force." he told them suddenly glad to have more company, even thought he felt terrible for even thinking that.

"Oh man" John came forward staring at the men "These must be the men who were in the papers a while back. You know the chopper that was shot down."

Sydney nodded, remembering reading about it in the paper.

"I found some water, Syd." Amanda bought it forward, seeing that the men were shackled and couldn't reach it for themselves.

The four thirsty soldiers drank and listened as the archeologists told them their story. Syd dipped her bandana into the water and began to wipe away some of the grime that covered them.

"No don't." One soldier warned "That's all the water we have for a week."

"We need to treat your wounds." She told them "They are getting infected."

The other's agreed and started to help the four soldiers. They would worry about rationing water later.

An hour later Sydney sat with her back against the wall. Her mind racing, conjuring more and more frightening scenarios about what was happening to Nigel. Amanda came over and sat beside her.

"I think that if we can get these men out of here, that they'll be alright." Amanda saw the look on Sydney's face

"He's going to be okay. Nigel struck me as a pretty tough guy." Or so Amanda hoped

"He is tough." Sydney agreed "This is all my fault." she told her friend

"Don't be silly, Syd."

Syd shook her head, and explained "It's my fault Amanda, he's been so down lately and I used this as an excuse to get him out of the office. I dragged him on this stupid hunt, and for what?" Syd questioned "A book, a stupid book, that no one has read or even seen in a few thousand years, a book that we don't even know for sure exists!"

"Snap out of this Syd, we are going to have to keep our wits together if we are going to survive this!" Amanda grabbed Sydney's shoulder

The cell door reopened and Nigel was pushed in.

"Syd?" he called out, his eyes still not used to the dark "Sy…"

"NIGEL!" Sydney was up and hugging him "Did they hurt you?" she asked checking him to be sure.

"No, uh Syd?"

Now a bit calmer knowing that he was safe, Sydney could think straight "Yes Nigel?"

"Ah… Have you figured out an escape plan yet?"

Sydney sighed and shook her head, "Not yet why?"

"Well" Nigel stated quite calmly "These men just told me, that if America and Britain don't release 25 of their brothers in-arms in seven days. I'm going to be executed."