Ashes Crushed and Tossed Away

by QueenH

With the Wraith on the way to Atlantis, Jack O'Neill is forced to make a choice and the repercussions are felt by everyone. Crossover with Stargate Atlantis. Complete.

3. Council of Justice

Chapter 3: Council of Justice

The five Wraith he'd sent through the gate had yet to return and this disturbed Anubis greatly. They had been ordered to secure the gate on the other side so that more patrols could come through. An hour had passed and they'd heard nothing from the first patrol.

He stepped away from the gate and decided to walk the corridors, looking for a quiet place where he could concentrate without being disturbed by anyone. A few minutes later he settled on a small lab, just down the corridor to his left. As the door slid shut he could already hear the female Wraith whispering to him.

/My brothers have been lost. I sense it./

/Quiet./

/You cannot silence me, Anubis. You may control my body, but my mind is far stronger./

Anubis growled, shaking his head. He drowned out her thoughts as he tried to focus on the Others and the Outcasts trying to make a link with one of them. It took a moment, but he was able to do so and quickly began to gather information from the various voices swimming around him.

/You will be stopped/ A random voice called out, though he wasn't certain, he guessed it was another Outcast.

/Who will be the one to challenge me? You/ At that the voice was silent and Anubis continued his search.

A few minutes later he'd found the information he needed and he smiled in triumph. He left the lab and started back to the gateroom.

> > > >

"He couldn't have just disappeared?" Colonel Carter tried to keep her voice low, but she knew she failed when she saw the surprised expression on her father's face.

"I don't know what to tell ya. The only thing of Jack's that was in the gateroom was his uniform."

"Could not the Ascended have intervened? O'Neill has mentioned their displeasure at his interferences as of late."

Sam blinked at Teal'c's words as her eyes widened in understanding. "That could be it. The general said that he'd inadvertently alerted the Others of his presence when he saved Selmak and my father."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "If that is the case, then what can we do?"

They fell into a stunned silence as a bright light engulfed the room, and to their surprise Oma Desala stood before them. "I believe I can be of assistance with that."

"Do you know where the General is?" Colonel Carter was the first to speak and Oma nodded in response.

"He is being brought before the Ascended for breaking the rules of his punishment."

Teal'c rose to his feet, the concern clearly written on his face. "How may we assist him?"

"I am afraid there is little you can do from here. He must plead his case to a panel of Ascended judges. They will decide his fate from there."

"And if these judges don't choose in Jack's favor what happens to him?" Jacob asked as he sat up straight in his chair.

"Jack has taken another being's life. Though the circumstances may have called for it, he was bound by the rules of his punishment not to interfere in such a manner." Oma paused a moment before continuing. "I fear that if the judges do not choose in his favor the consequences will be dire."

All three soldiers shook their heads, not liking the tone of Oma's voice, or what that tone implied.

"Why are you here?" Colonel Carter asked as Oma moved closer to them.

"I've come here on behalf of Daniel Jackson." They stared blankly at the Ascended woman and she continued. "While he was with the Replicators he attempted to ascend. He was unable to complete the process, and is now between Ascension and his human form. The Ascended are going to try him, to determine whether or not to allow Daniel to complete his Ascension."

"What do you require of us?" Teal'c asked what they were all wondering.

"I have agreed to speak for Daniel at his trial, and I had hoped that you would all agree to bear witness for him."

The three of them nodded in agreement, and Jacob spoke up. "How do we do that?"

"I will take you to where the trial is to occur." Oma changed form to that of a glowing Ascended and reached out to the other three in the room.

Her light enveloped them and they felt themselves being transported. When they opened their eyes again they were standing together in a large room with nothing but a few benches and chairs and one long table in the center of it.

> > > >

He opened his eyes to see that he was floating in what looked like a darkened sky. Slowly he turned himself so that he could see what was around him, groaning when he saw nothing but blackness in every direction. Suddenly he felt himself begin to spin, the spinning rapidly increased in speed until he was forced to close his eyes.

A familiar voice called out to him once the spinning had ceased, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he felt solid floor beneath him. "Jack? Is that you?"

There across the room from him stood a robe-clad Daniel Jackson, his smile beaming across the room. Jack stood and looked around, trying to gauge his surroundings. They were standing in an empty room that looked rather like a prison cell. There were no windows, not even a door that he could see, only four walls and small light above them, dimly lighting the small area. He started to move closer when he felt the floor begin to shake. He gripped at the wall, but still fell to his knees and watched as Daniel did the same on the opposite side of the room.

When the floor stopped shaking a set of bars had been placed between the two men, and Jack opened his mouth to speak as he touched the bars. "Where are we?"

"I'm not really sure. I was moved here a little while ago, I think."

"You think?" Jack didn't like the uncertainty in Daniel's voice as he motioned for the younger man to move closer.

"Well, I remember being on the Replicator ship, and getting stabbed in the heart. Then I woke up alone in a room kinda like this one, only there was a cot in the corner. Some guy came in telling me he had tried to help me ascend, but that he'd been stopped by the Others. Oma showed up a little while later and then brought me here to await my trial."

Jack shook his head and sighed. "So Tenal did reach you?"

"You know him?" Daniel raised an eyebrow curiously.

"We've met before. Desa told me he had tried to help, but that was all she knew."

"Where are we Jack? Tenal said that I wasn't ascended, but that I wasn't dead. He said something about a trial to determine whether I deserve to ascend or not. Oma didn't really tell me anything."

Daniel's concern grew as an almost fearful look came over Jack's face. He'd never seen his friend look that way before, and he knew that it wasn't good thing.

"Has anyone come in here besides me?"

"No…What's going on Jack? Why are you here?"

Shaking his head Jack eased himself to the floor and took a seat, drawing his knees up to his chest. "I think I may have pissed the Others off a bit too much this time."

"Why do you say that?" Daniel asked as he followed suit and took a seat on his side of the bars.

When Jack looked away, Daniel sighed in frustration and reached a hand through the bars between them, letting his hand come to rest on Jack's knee.

"Some Wraith came through the gate and I…um, sort of used my powers to stop them."

"Powers?" Daniel asked as he cocked his head in Jack's direction, obviously wanting more of an explanation.

"Well, a lot has happened since you went away. My Ancient abilities seem to be getting stronger." Jack went on to recount how he helped Selmak, and then told him what had happened with the Wraith in the gateroom.

"So you killed them?"

Jack nodded in silent reply and Daniel shook his head.

"Not to sound rude, but what exactly does this have to do with me?"

Both men chuckled softly at Daniel's comment and the older man sighed as he spoke. "I'm guessing their going to put us on trial. You tried to ascend and failed, which means it's up to the Others to decide if you are worthy to be allowed to complete the task."

"What about you?"

Without missing a beat, Jack looked straight into Daniel's eyes. "More than likely they'll kill me."

> > > >

"Oma, if we're here, what's to stop Anubis from trying to attack Earth while we're gone?" Sam asked as she took a seat on the bench in front of her.

"We are no longer in your plane of existence. Time as it is on Earth does not exist here. When this is over you will be returned to the SGC and it will be as if no time had passed at all." The three soldiers stared at the Ascended woman, and she smiled softly at their mystified expressions.

"If we're not in our own plane of existence, then where are we?" Sam asked trying to hide the concern in her voice, but failing miserably.

"It is difficult to explain, but we are in a place between the Ascended plane of existence and yours."

Sam wrinkled her nose and then nodded. "So will you all be, pardon the expression, 'glowy' when the trial begins?"

Oma laughed softly and shook her head. "No, because Jack and Daniel are still human, the judges will take human form during the trial."

"So when does this thing start?" It was Jacob that asked a question this time as he ran his fingers over his chin in anticipation.

"The trial will begin shortly. First, I must prepare the three of you." Again the soldiers stared at her, this time looking quite confused, and she was quick to clarify her statement. "I must explain the rules. There are 12 judges that will preside over this trial. You will each be asked to speak on behalf of Daniel, and the judges may be thorough in their questioning of each of you."

"I know you explained why this trial is happening, but what exactly are the judges looking for?"

Oma turned to Sam, sighing slightly. "They wish to gauge whether Daniel has progressed enough since his previous Ascension for them to allow him to do so again."

"What about Jack?" Jacob asked the question he was certain they were all wondering.

"He will be tried as well, though I do not know who will be allowed to speak for him. His trial will not be the same as Daniel's. The Others are less willing to allow leniency for what he had done. "

"Will we be allowed to speak for O'Neill as well?" They all turned in surprise at Teal'c's question, and Oma nodded.

"It is possible, as long as Jack allows it." A pregnant silence filled the room and Oma couldn't help but sense the dismay that hung heavy in the air at the possibility of their friend not allowing them to speak on his behalf.

"What other rules do we need to know?" Sam asked, finally breaking the silence and getting everyone's attention. Quickly Oma began to explain the rest of the rules for the trial. Time passed quickly, and soon the room began to fill with the Ascendeds wishing to view the trial, followed by the judges.

The trial was about to begin. Both Jack and Daniel had been brought into a large room. They looked first at each other and then around the room. There was one aisle leading from the door to a semi-circular area at the far end of the room. To the left, right, and stretching upwards were hundreds of seats where other ascended beings were waiting quietly for the proceedings to begin.

Silently they made their way through the stadium like seats, to the center area where they could see a few familiar faces waiting for them. Oma was standing just at the end of the aisle, and she had Carter, Teal'c and Jacob beside her. Jack and Daniel were quick to join them. They all took seats on a set of benches that had been placed near the aisle. In front of the group, in the center of the semi-circle, was a podium-like structure with two steps leading to it. The structure was facing the end of the room where the 12 judges were seated.

"Those being tried, come forward." The loud voice cut through the silence in the room, and Daniel and Jack looked up, taking a deep breath before they moved the few steps forward onto the podium.

The one who had called them forward began to speak directly to them. "We have been chosen from amongst those in this plane of existence to bear witness and serve as judges for this trial. You will each be given a chance to defend your actions, and this council of judges will deliberate on your fate. Since the cases against you are separate, you are each allowed to have one of the Ascended speak on your behalf. Oma Desala has agreed to speak for Daniel." He turned to Jack. "Janus, who is your chosen speaker?"

"I know few that would speak for me here, so I choose to speak for myself."

The 12 judges nodded amongst one another and the speaker turned back to Jack. "If that is your wish, though according to trial rules, you have the option to allow another to speak for you at any time, is that understood?"

Jack nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Daniel followed Jack back down the steps to the spot they had been standing before they were called forward.

"We will hear Daniel's case first." The judge who seemed to have the role of speaker continued on. "Your fate as one of Ascended is in question. You were unable to complete the task of your Ascension. We wish to hear why you feel you should be allowed to join us."

The archeologist was speechless, not really sure what he was supposed to do next. Luckily, Oma took it upon herself to speak up.

"Judges, Daniel was once an Ascended being. Admittedly, he was not ready when he first joined us, but he has learned much in the time since then. Can we not allow him a second chance to partake of the enlightenment that we all share in?"

The judges whispered quietly amongst one another and Oma turned to where Daniel was seated, he motioned for her to come closer. She was about to do so when the voice of one of the judges stopped her in her tracks.

It was a female judge and her soft voice was a change from the previous judge. "If he was not ready, then why did you interfere and aid him in his previous Ascension?"

Oma turned and let out a soft sigh. "I will take the blame for that. I convinced him to Ascend in an attempt to save his life. I felt he was worthy of enlightenment, and I still do."

"Why should this council believe as you do, that Daniel is worthy of Ascension?" The same judge that had been the speaker at the beginning of the trial spoke up.

Oma opened her mouth to respond, but Daniel got to his feet and moved past her. He took his place on the podium, and looked around at the judges before speaking.

"As this is my trial, I wish to speak for myself." The judges nodded and waited for Daniel to go on. "I don't remember anything really, about my time being ascended before. I distinctly remember before that I didn't think that I deserved to even be attempting something that major, that momentous."

The female judge was quick to cut in. "If you do not believe you are worthy of enlightenment, then this council should not grant you Ascension."

"That's not what I'm saying." Daniel raised his arms in the air as he continued. "I don't believe it's for anyone to determine whether another is worthy of anything. Ascension is more than mere enlightenment to all that exists in the universe. You all should know this."

Jack and the others stared in amazement as the room erupted into whispers at the archeologist's words. For the briefest of moments Daniel turned around and saw that everyone was completely focused on him and he spoke again.

"Is it not a choice whether or not to ascend?"

The female judge nodded. "Of course it is a choice. No one can be forced into enlightenment."

"Then you as judges have failed in one point." Again the room erupted into whispers, but was quickly quieted by the head judge.

"How is it we have failed?"

"You have not asked whether I wish to ascend again. I may have tried to do so before I died, but how do you know that is still what I wish?"

The whispers resumed throughout the room, and Daniel turned to see Jack and the others giving him confused looks as he waited to hear a response from the judges.

"Are you saying that you do not wish to Ascend?" The same female judge from before asked.

"No, that is not what I'm saying." Daniel could see the confused looks on the judge's faces and he took a deep breath before continuing. "You say it is a choice whether or not I ascend. From what I understand of Ascension, if one is worthy then they should be able to reach enlightenment on their own. Am I correct so far?"

Several of the judges nodded and Daniel continued. "Then if this panel of judges were to rule in my favor you would…what, help me ascend?"

A judge on the far left side of the panel tapped his hand on the table before him and then answered. "Yes that is correct. One of us would assist you in the process and make sure it is completed."

"Then you would be going against your own rules would you not?"

"What is your point, Daniel?" The same judge asked, the frustration clear in his voice.

"This trial should not even be taking place. If according to your own rules, I should be able to attain enlightenment on my own, then I should be left in the state I was in until I can do so."

Silence filled the room as the stunned audience and judges tried to understand what Daniel was saying. It remained eerily quiet in the room for what seemed like an eternity before the leader of the judges began to speak.

"Is it our understanding that you wish to remain in your current state until you can ascend on your own?"

Daniel nodded. "I can still interact with the world in this state, can I not?"

"It is possible, yes."

"Then that is what I wish. When I'm ready I will be able to ascend on my own, and I won't need anyone's help to do so."

"Very well. We will convene to decide on this matter." The judge spoke and Daniel nodded in understanding.

Jack glared at Daniel from his spot on the bench and raised his arms in confusion at what the younger man was doing. A moment later Daniel stepped down from the podium and moved to the bench, taking a seat beside the General. The judges dismissed themselves so that they could deliberate, while Daniel and the others were led out of the room and down a long hallway, to another room so they could wait.

"Are you nuts!" The words flew out of Jack's mouth once the door had closed behind them, and the six of them were alone in the room.

"No Jack, I'm not. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Jack rolled his eyes in disbelief. "Well, excuse me if I don't see how that's possible."

"The General is right, Daniel. This makes no sense." Sam raised her arms to emphasize her point, but Daniel simply shook his head.

"I've been thinking about this since Oma told me what was going to happen. I didn't want to be Ascended, and that's why I couldn't do it before. Subconsciously, I knew that before I tried to Ascend when the Replicator ship was destroyed."

Shrugging his shoulders Jack groaned. "Not following you, Danny."

"Just trust me, Jack."

> > > >

The room was silent as the judges waited for Daniel to step to the podium. He straightened himself up and waited as the head judge began to speak.

"We have decided…" There was a momentary pause and judge fixed his eyes on Daniel as he finished the sentence. "…not to grant your request. It is the finding of this panel that you be returned to your former state of existence."

"WHAT!" The General was shouting as he stood up from his seat, not noticing the shocked look on Daniel's face or the stranger starting to walk towards the judges from the center of the room.

Jack got between the judges and Daniel before the head judge could stand to stop him. "You have no say in this matter, Janus. Be seated!"

"NO!" Defiantly, Jack stood his ground, his facial expression practically daring the judge to respond.

"Daniel agreed to our terms. He agreed to accept whatever punishment this panel came to an agreement on. This has nothing to do with you."

"He doesn't, but I do!" A deep voice coming from the back of the room caught everyone by surprise.

"Who are you?" The judge asked as a tall sandy-haired man stepped forward and moved beside the podium where Daniel was standing.

"My name is Ayola, and I request to be heard by this panel."

Jack thought for a moment as the name rang in his head. It was familiar and a moment later he remembered where he'd heard it before. He shared a brief glance at the other man, and wondered just what this stranger had to do with Daniel.

"What right have you to interfere with this trial?" One of the female judges spoke up from her seat on the far left of the panel.

"If he is returned to his previous state of existence he will die. By right, I am allowed to take his place."

The room shook with a cacophony of shocked whispers and sounds. The female judge shook her head in confusion.

"What right do you speak of?"

"He is of the same lineage as I. By blood right I ask to take his punishment."

Daniel was reeling as he gripped the rail of the podium for support. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't understand."

Ayola turned to the still confused man and stepped onto the podium with him. "I realize you don't know me, but I have been watching over you many years now. You are the last of my lineage, and I cannot bear to see it end in such a manner."

"How is that possible?"

Before Ayola could answer, Jack stepped up and began to speak. "He's right. I didn't realize until just now, but he's telling the truth."

Daniel's jaw nearly hit the floor as he raised his arms in utter bewilderment. "Please explain."

"You're…it can't be… you are aren't you?" Jack asked Ayola, and the Ascended man nodded in silent reply.

"You do remember me?" With a nod Jack took another step closer to Ayola and Daniel.

Before Jack could say anymore, the judges spoke up, causing them to turn in their direction in surprise. "As fascinating as it is that you two seem to know one another, it is still quite unclear to us what the connection is."

The center judge crossed his arms over his chest after motioning for Ayola to step forward. The Ascended man did as requested and leaned forward so that only the judges could hear his words.

"I will submit to whatever means you require to attest to my blood right to take young Daniel's place."

The female judge on the far left stood up and walked around the table where she had been seated. She moved close enough to touch Ayola, and he bowed his head allowing her to reach her hand out towards him. The room was silent as the judge placed her hand on his head, light emanated from her fingertips. There was a slight grimace on Ayola's face as the judge extracted the information she required and then slowly brought her hand back to her side.

"He speaks the truth." She announced and then hastily made her way back to her seat as the room erupted with noise.

The judge at the center of the table rapped his fist on the table to quiet the room, and then turned his attention to Ayola. "This panel will retire to consider your request. Bear this in mind, once we have decided you will abide by the decision, whatever it may be."

"Understood."

With that the judges disappeared and Jack, Daniel, and the others were left staring blankly at one another. Ayola returned to where Daniel was still standing at the podium, and Jack joined them.

"I had no idea you'd ascended." Jack reached a hand out to touch Ayola's cheek.

"That is a long story, Uncle."

"Uncle?" Daniel's voice went up an octave as he shrieked in confusion. "Would someone please tell me what's going on?"

Ayola laughed softly to himself and then turned to Jack. The two men stare at each other a moment before responding.

"Well, as you may have guessed, we are related." Daniel glared at Ayola, less than impressed with the other man's simple statement.

"I really think I need more than that…what did you say your name was?"

"Ayola."

"When did you change your name?" Jack's question made Daniel shake his head in defeat.

"This is making no sense."

"Please. Allow me to explain." Ayola reached out and took hold of Daniel's shoulder, leading him towards the bench where Oma and the others were waiting.

Daniel took a seat and crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, talk. How is Jack your uncle? And how the hell are we related? And what the heck does Jack mean by changing your name?"

Ayola smiled and nodded. "Very well. Janus, or rather Jack as you call him, was friends with my father. They did research together until he was killed by the Wraith. Jack and my father were close, and I have always called him my uncle, though I suppose we are not truly kin."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Your father was as close to family as I'd ever had."

"Jerron?" Daniel spoke the name as he began to connect the dots in what Ayola was saying.

"Yes, Jerron was his father." It was Jack that responded when Ayola seemed to choke up at the mention of his father's name.

"How is it possible for us to be related? And what about your name?" Daniel asked as he raised his arms in confusion.

"As for my name, I did change it. When I Ascended, I chose a new name. Jaylen was the name my parents gave me. Jack could probably explain how we're related as well as I can." Ayola cocked his head in Jack's direction and the older man's eyes nearly bulged out of his head in surprise.

"Jack?"

The General ran his hand through his silver hair with a heavy sigh. "Um…well, after Jerron died, his wife decided to leave the rest of the Ancients. She wanted nothing to do with the Ascensions that were taking place. She took her family and went to live with the humans that were living outside the city. Her children married and had children, and those children had kids…yadda, yadda, yadda, several generations later you came along."

"Okay, that's the short explanation. Why didn't you tell me any of this, Jack?"

"Tell you what, Daniel? That I made a promise to a dying friend to look after his family and that for thousands of years I've done the best I could to do just that; watching generations of them grow up and making sure they were as safe as I could make them? Even after I told you what I was, would you really have believed me if I said anything?"

Daniel's breathing grew more rapid as he clinched his fists together. "Wait a minute. You've known all along about me? You watched me grow up? What about my parents! Did you watch them die! Did you watch Nick turn me away too! Did you just watch while I went through all that!"

The pain and anger was clear in Daniel's eyes and Jack lowered his head. "I…There's nothing…It's not that simple, Daniel."

"What you mean you didn't just sit back and let me go through hell in foster care, growing up completely alone! You don't sound that much different from the rest of the Ancients."

The words stung as Jack listened to his friend say them, knowing that in his eyes that is exactly what it must look like. He tried to take a step closer to Daniel, but the younger man shot him a fierce glare that made him rethink the action.

"I didn't know your parents had left Egypt until after the accident. By the time I got to New York, you'd already been placed in foster care. It took years for me to track you down. By then there was nothing I could do. I didn't just let it all happen to you, Daniel. If I could have stopped it I would have. Please believe that."

Daniel stood up and pushed past Jack and Ayola, the fury boiling over inside him as he slammed his fist against the side of the podium. Sam and Oma were quick to go to him.

"How could he!" Daniel ground his teeth as he looked up at the two women.

"Calm yourself, Daniel. Anger only clouds your judgment." Oma shook her head at Daniel and the younger man sighed.

"How can I not be angry? I just found out…" Daniel groaned loudly. "I don't even know what it is that I found out. I can't even say Jack lied to me, but…"

His sentence trailed off and Sam reached her hand out towards him. "This is all kinda strange, but it actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it."

"What do you mean?"

"This explains why the Colonel has always been so protective of you over the years. I always thought it was just that you were the civilian on the team, but there always seemed to be something more to it. Maybe his overprotectiveness in the field was his way of making up for not being able to be there for you when you were a child."

Daniel brought his hand to his head, not sure how to respond. He cast a glance in Jack's direction and sighed heavily, letting Carter's words sink in.

"Jack, he just needs some time to figure this out for himself." Jack turned as Jacob squeezed his shoulder in understanding.

"I should have told him."

"You cannot change the past, only deal with the now." Ayola's words made sense, but gave Jack little comfort.

A moment later Daniel approached Jack and the others, with Oma and Sam just behind him. His eyes were focused on Ayola as he neared the group.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked in a quiet voice

"As I said, you are the last of my bloodline. I wish for it to continue even if I cannot."

"You're willing to give your life for me, and you don't even know if I'm worth it." The rest of the group shouted in disbelief, but Daniel waved them off. "Seriously, what makes you think I deserve any of this?"

Ayola smiled warmly at Daniel and took the younger man's hands in his. "Jack is not the only one that has watched over my family. I have seen all that you've accomplished over the years, and there is still much for you to do."

"How can you know that?"

Jack's voice caught Daniel's attention and he turned towards him. "The same way the rest of us know you're worth it, Daniel."

> > > >

The judges entered the room, taking their seats quickly. Daniel and Ayola were standing together at the podium, watching carefully as the judges quieted the room so they could speak.

"Blood right is held in the highest regard, and as such this panel sees no reason why we should not honor your request. You will be allowed to take Daniel's punishment in his stead, and Daniel will be sent back to Earth unharmed. You will have until the end of Janus's trial to prepare yourself."

The judge's words hit Daniel hard as he turned to Ayola. The older man merely nodded in agreement, reminding Daniel of Teal'c's stoic manner as he did so. Quietly, they stepped down from the podium and returned to the benches where Jack and the others were seated.

"Janus, step forward." Jack did as the judge told him, moving to the podium with haste. "Do you still wish to speak on your own behalf?"

He opened his mouth to respond, when he heard a voice behind him speak. "I will speak for him."

"Have you not already done enough?" The judge glared at Ayola curiously as the young man shook his head.

"You said I have until Janus's trial is ended before my punishment will take place, and as I am an Ascended I am allowed to speak for him. I merely wish to do so."

Jack turned to protest, but seeing the determined look on Ayola's face he held his tongue. The head judge waved his hand to give Ayola permission and waited for him to take his place beside Jack on the podium.

"You have been accused of using your powers as an Ancient to willfully and without cause take the lives of five beings. Using your powers was a direct violation of your current punishment, In accordance with the laws of the Ancients and Ascendeds if we find you guilty, the penalty is death. Do you understand, Janus?"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "I understand."

"You and your speaker may plead your case now."

Ayola turned to Jack as the head judge rested his hand on the table in front of him. "Janus doesn't deserve to die. His actions were taken in an attempt to protect his planet, his home. That is no crime, it is his right to protect that which is his own."

The female judge on the far left of the table tapped her hand on the table and shook her head. "Janus is not a Tau'ri of Earth. He is an Ancient. How is it that you claim Earth is his home?"

"Ma'am, I have lived on Earth for over 10,000 years. I may not have been born on Earth, but it's my home in every sense of the word." Jack did his best to sound respectful, but the sneer the judge was giving him was making it difficult.

Again the judge shook her head. "It is the place of your previous punishment, not your home."

"If Earth is not his home, then what would this court consider to be his home?" Ayola asked as turned his head left and then right, scanning the faces of each judge.

"The planet of his birth of course." Jack shook his head at the female judge.

"Then perhaps you could tell us where that is?"

The head judge raised an eyebrow in curiosity as Jack again shook his head. "You do not know the place of your birth, Janus?"

"No sir. When I was a baby, some scientists found me alone on a small spacecraft drifting along in the middle of this solar system. I had been hidden away in a storage compartment. No one knew where the ship had come from or where it was going, only that it had been attacked and everyone onboard killed, save me." From the corner of his eye, Jack could see the surprised reaction of his teammates as he spoke.

"So your claim is that because you have more time on this planet than any other, it is your home, and you were allowed to defend it any way you saw fit?" The female judge sounded almost hostile in her tone, and Jack struggled with the impulse to curse the woman for her behavior.

"I was only doing what needed to be done."

"Then you admit to taking those lives?" The frustration was clear in Jack's face as the female judge taunted him with her question.

"I wouldn't deny I killed those Wraith, but if I hadn't they would have done the same to me."

"Then this trial is over. You have as much as admitted your guilt."

The head judge raised his hand to silence the woman. "Do you admit to your guilt, Janus?"

Jack turned to Ayola and took a deep breath before answering. "No. I'm not admitting I'm guilty of anything."

"You admitted to killing the Wraith!" The female judge shouted as she slammed her fists on the table.

"I said I won't deny I killed them, but I did so to protect others. I had no choice."

"There is always a choice." Gritting his teeth, Jack closed his eyes as a feeling of rage began to pour over him.

The judges went silent as a soft red glow began to emanate from Jack, even Oma was surprised as Jack began to shake and then rapidly fell backwards and down the steps of the podium. Daniel was quick to run to Jack's side, and got there just as Ayola was bending down to touch Jack's still shaking hand.

"What happened?" Daniel knew he must have been shouting, but he didn't care. His only concern was for his friend, still convulsing on the floor beside him.

"I am not certain, Daniel." Ayola stared back at the younger man, their concerned expressions matching those of Oma and the others already making their way closer to their fallen friend.

The trial had careened to a halt as two of the judges left their seats and went to Jack's side. The first judge went to lay his hand on Jack's chest, but quickly pulled it back when the red glow touched him, causing a slight spark. It was obvious by the expression on the judge's face that was not the reaction he had been expecting. He slowly turned to the second judge, who appeared to be as confused as he was.

The red glow began to expand around Jack's body and everyone but Daniel quickly pulled away. The archeologist kept Jack's hand firmly in his grip and tried not to scream as a searing pain ripped through him as the red glow passed over him. A moment later the pain ceased as the glow completely enveloped him. He looked around to see that all eyes were trained on Jack and himself as they began to lift ever so slowly off the ground.

"What is the meaning of this!" The head judge's voice pierced the stunned silence in the room as Jack and Daniel floated into the air and hovered just above the podium.

Daniel felt Jack's body stop shaking and looked down to see his friend staring up at him with a slightly confused expression on his face.

"What's going on, Danny?"

"I was hoping you could answer that, Jack. All I know is that we're sorta floating in mid-air right now."

Jack lifted his head, carefully glancing around the room. In a split second the red glow disappeared and the two men found themselves falling. They landed with a thud, barely missing the podium as they gracelessly crashed into the floor in front of the judge's table.

"If this was a tactic to delay the decision of the panel, you have succeeded, but you will not sway us to your side with tricks such as this." The head judge growled at Jack as he slowly began to stand, holding firmly to the podium for balance.

Jack struggled to catch his breath and slowly began to speak. "I swear that was not my intention. I don't know what just happened."

"He lies! He only wishes to prolong this trial to delay his inevitable execution."

Daniel turned to face the female judge that had just spoken and raised his arms at her. "Why are you so quick to lay the guilt on Jack? He's barely had a chance to plead his case and yet you've already deemed him guilty. At least allow Ayola and Jack to finish speaking before you pass judgment."

"Your trial has ended, Daniel. This does not concern you." The head judge put his hand up to stop Daniel, but the young man shook his head.

"It does concern me. Jack is my friend, and for the better part of the last ten years he has been my family…the only family I've really had. Whatever his fate in the trial, it concerns me greatly."

Sam and Teal'c were nodding their heads in agreement with Daniel while Jacob and Oma stared open-mouthed in surprise at Daniel's sudden outburst. Jack, having finally gained his composure turned to Ayola and the young Ascended stepped forward and began to speak.

"Daniel is correct, and he is not the only one that can speak on Janus's behalf. They have come to do so as well, and it would behoove this panel to hear what they have to say before you judge Janus any further." He pointed towards Oma and the others who were now all nodding in the direction of the judges.

"Very well. Each of them will be allowed to speak, but first this panel wishes an explanation for what has just occurred."

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "As I've already said, I don't know what happened. I can't explain it."

The head judge motioned to the two judges that were still standing between the judge's table and the podium and they both took a few steps towards Jack. The first one placed a hand on Jack's forehead, while the other one placed her hand on Jack's chest. A blue light emanated from them both as they closed their eyes. Jack did the same and allowed their energy to flow through him. He could feel them searching his mind, and he did his best not to hinder them.

Moments later the judges stepped away from Jack and moved towards the judge's table. There was soft whispering among the judges before all the judges took their seats and the head judge began to speak.

"Janus, will you submit to another test?"

Jack raised an eyebrow in confusion and turned to Ayola and Oma hoping to get some sort of clue as to what was going on.

"What is it that he must be tested for?" Ayola asked stepped around the podium so that he was between Jack and the judges.

"Will you submit?" Jack balked at the judge's question and shook his head.

"Not until you tell me what this is about. I let those two poke around in my head already." He pointed to the two judges, now seated on the far right of the table. "What else do you want from me?"

"Submit to the test or this trial will be over and you will be sentenced to death." It was the angry female judge that spoke this time and Jack felt the rage begin to build in him once more.

"It sounds to me like this panel has already decided my fate. I never doubted your intent to see me to my death, so how about we dispense with the formality and just get on with it!"

"If this does not prove his guilt to this panel, I do not know what else will." The female judge stood and pointed her finger in Jack's direction. "He has already admitted to taking the lives he is accused of. His friends will not dispute that, and nor will they prove that he acted with just cause. This trial need not continue. I move that a verdict of guilty be handed down and we execute Janus immediately."

The room erupted with shouts from all around the room. Jack shook his head vehemently; then slammed his fist against the side of the podium as he shouted in frustration. It took the head judge several minutes to quiet the room and he was quick to call a recess. He allowed Jack and his friends to be taken down the hall, while the judges left to deliberate on the female judge's proposition.

> > > >

"Dammit! What the hell is going on!" Jack shouted once the door to the room had been closed.

"What did you do in there, Jack?" Jacob asked the question they all wanted an answer to, but the General merely shrugged his shoulders and let out a loud groan.

"I already said I don't know. I'm not even sure what really happened."

"What do you remember, sir?"

Jack turned to Carter and sighed. "I remember that bitch hassling me and I got angry, then I was up in the air with Daniel."

"That's it? You don't remember glowing red and then falling off the podium?" He stared blankly at Daniel, shaking his head.

"No. I just remember getting angry; it was almost like at the SGC, with the Wraith. When I…killed them."

"What do you mean?"

Jack turned to Jacob, brought his hand up to his face and ran his fingers down the bridge of his nose.

"When I was concentrating on using my power to stop the Wraith, it felt almost the same as when I got angry at that judge, except I remember killing those Wraith, and I don't remember anything after I looked at that judge like I wanted to kill her."

Oma took a step closer to Jack and then turned to Ayola. The two Ascendeds nodded in silent understanding and reached out towards Jack. He started to back away, but then stopped when their hands touched him. A surge of energy passed through him and he gasped in shock.

"What are you doing?" Daniel shouted as he tried to pull Jack from their grasp.

Once the contact was broken Jack fell backwards and into Teal'c's arms. The Jaffa was quick to help Jack stand up again and then stood securely behind him as Jack turned to Oma and Ayola.

"What is it? What did you see?" Jack started to reach his hand out to Oma, but she took a step back to avoid him.

"It is what the judges sensed in you. You are no longer what you were."

"What the hell does that mean, Desa?" She covered her mouth with her hand and looked away.

"You are no longer an Ancient…at least not as you were." It was Ayola that responded, and everyone was silent, unsure what the Ascended was trying to say. "The judges sensed that you have evolved."

"What! That makes no sense." Jack shook his head, leaning forward against the table in front of him.

"Doesn't it though? You have spent 10,000 years in that body. All life evolves, it is something that cannot be avoided."

"But the gene suppressor has kept me human?" It wasn't meant to be a question, but he knew as he said it that it was.

"It has forced your body to evolve and find another way for your Ancient genes to be used." Ayola's words were slowly sinking in, as Jack took a seat in the chair that Teal'c was pushing up behind him.

"Are you saying that Jack's Ancient cells have somehow, over time begun to turn back on?" Jacob asked trying to make sense of what he was hearing.

"Yes, in a matter of speaking." Ayola nodded and turned to Jack. "I think it was the use of the Ancient database. The download caused a malfunction in the gene suppressor. Oma and I could sense it inside you…only it isn't suppressing your Ancient cells anymore, the device has absorbed itself into your system and it's made your cells stronger."

"Stronger?" Jack stared at Ayola in confusion.

"You may not realize it, but you are almost as strong as an Ascended."

Sam and Daniel gasped in shock and Jack brought his hand to his head.

"How is that possible?" Jack sighed looking first at Oma and then at Ayola. "This makes no sense."

"Perhaps not, but I do not believe the judges will view this or the earlier incident, in your favor."

Ayola nodded in agreement with Oma as Jack shook his head. "You're right about that, Desa. I feel like I've already lost this case, I just wish I knew why they have it in for me so bad. I mean I know I broke the rules, but it's not like I'm the first to ever do it, and that woman out there keeps looking at me like she wants to kill me."

"He's right. That judge seems out to get Jack in an awfully bad way, more so than any of the other judges. They're at least willing to hear Jack's side of the story, but she's already pegged him as guilty." Daniel's arms were crossed over his chest as he moved a few steps closer to Jack.

"Why is that?" Everyone went silent at Jacob's question, and Jack began to pace the floor in front of them, nervously rubbing his hands together.

Oma opened her mouth to speak and then quickly closed it turning away from the group. They all watched in curiosity as she started for the door.

"I must go. I will return before the trial ends." She gave no more of an explanation as she exited the room, leaving Jack and the others staring at the empty space where she had been standing with matching looks of bewilderment on all of their faces.

A few minutes later the door to the room opened and a guard notified them that the judges were ready to proceed with the trial. Quietly the group started for the door, marching through it like defeated soldiers on their way to the POW camp.

It was a slow walk back to the trial room, and Jack kept his head down as he walked. The others couldn't help but notice the defeated posture and hopeless attitude their friend now showed, and it tore at them as they watched him step back up to the podium, waiting for the judges to speak.

The room was eerily silent as Jack watched the judges across the floor from him. With a sigh he straightened his stance and gripped the edge of the podium as the head judge nodded in his direction.

"It is not the nature of this court to determine another's guilt without first hearing all pertinent information before a verdict is rendered. With that in mind, the panel is not willing to pass judgment until we have heard all the facts of this case. Despite the previous interruption you will be given ample time to plead your case." The judge paused and Jack looked straight at him. "You and your speaker may proceed."

Ayola was quick to get to his feet and move towards the podium to address the panel. "We thank the court for agreeing to hear us. First, we would like to ask that the humans that were present during the incident in question be allowed to speak."

The waved a hand in agreement and Ayola turned to Jacob, motioning for him to come forward. Slowly, Jacob did so, leaning in to whisper to Ayola once he was right beside him.

"What do I do?"

"I will ask a few questions and you need simply speak truthfully of what you witnessed. The panel will then question you." Without another word, Ayola positioned Jacob in front of the podium, and began to address the panel once more. "I present the first witness."

There was a moment of whispered communication between the judges before they all nodded for Ayola to continue.

"Please state your name and how you are acquainted with Janus."

Jacob straightened his posture and nodded. "My name is Jacob Carter, and I know Janus…or rather Jack, because he and my daughter saved my life."

"How did that come about?"

He took a deep breath and then responded. "I was dying, Jack and Sam brought me to another planet so that I could become host to a Tok'ra symbiote."

"Are you still host to the symbiote?"

"Yes, I am." Jacob lowered his head and then brought it back up with eyes glowing, signaling that Selmak had taken control. "Jacob and I are still blended."

"You were both present at the time of the incident in question?"

Selmak smirked. "Being that my host and I share body and mind, it is difficult for one to be present without the other."

Jack stifled a laugh at the Tok'ra's sense of humor, but the rest of the room began to laugh.

"Answer the question, please."

"I apologize. Jacob and I were both there at the time the Wraith were killed."

The judge nodded to Ayola, and the Ascended continued. "Can you and Jacob tell us exactly what happened at that time?"

Selmak lowered his head to allow Jacob to speak. "The alarms went off all over the base signaling an unscheduled activation of the gate. Sam, Teal'c and myself went to the control room to find out who was coming through. Jack was already in the gateroom at the time. One of his men had been thrown through the gate. He was dead. Before the body could be removed, shots came through the gate. There was no way to close the gate fast enough, and the Wraith came though. Jack moved to get out the way, taking the dead soldier's body with him. Those of us in the control room couldn't get to the gate because Jack had already ordered the doors closed. The Wraith killed everyone in the room, but I guess they didn't see Jack because of the dead guy on him. They started to go for the door when Jack made his presence known. Jack told them to put their weapons down. He warned them, said he didn't want to hurt them, but they ignored him and kept trying to open the door. They had almost succeeded when he…stopped them."

Jacob paused and looked up at the judge. "Continue. How did Janus stop the Wraith?"

"There was a red light that sort of enveloped the whole room. It made it hard to see anything. When the light disappeared there was nothing but ashes on the floor where the Wraith had been standing."

The room erupted with shouts from various voices and the head judge raised his arms to quiet everyone. It took a moment, but the room quieted enough for the Ayola to speak.

"What would have happened if the Wraith had made it through the door?"

"The Tok'ra cannot be expected to see into the future that did not happen!" The female judge shouted causing Jacob to cross his arms over his chest.

"I may not see into the future, but it was obvious that if those Wraith had gotten onto the base they would done a lot of damage. Those soldiers that died threw everything at them and they kept coming. There were only five of them and at least 20 of our soldiers and none of our firepower stopped them. Jack did all he could!"

The head judge stood up and Jacob put his hands up as if to surrender. "This panel has heard your words and we will give them due credence. Unless you have another question for him, Ayola, I believe this witness has said enough."

"No I do not." Ayola shook his head and then motioned for Jacob to return to his seat.

He could feel the sweat already pouring down his face as he sat back down, bringing his hand to his head to wipe his brow. It was obvious that the judges were blatantly against Jack, and the former general couldn't shake the feeling that this trial wasn't going to end in the SGC leader's favor.

> > > >

"Where have you been?" She asked as she stepped through the door at the end of the long corridor.

"We sensed what happened with the judges. All of the Outcasts sensed it. You have no idea what this is doing, Oma."

"I have a good idea, Tenal. Now tell me what you've called me here for." The frail Ascended shook his head as he nervously ran his hand through his unkempt hair.

"Athar is on her way. She and many of the Outcasts are planning to stop the Others if they decide against Janus."

Oma lowered her head in shock. "This can't be."

"It can; and it is. She is furious. She was never told that he still lived."

Lifting her head slightly, Oma nodded. "They lied to her?"

"The Others told her that he died along with Jerron."

For a moment Tenal could see what he could only describe as rage in the other Ascended's eyes, and he nervously backed away.

"Tell no one what you have told me. Go to the trial, and wait for me there." Tenal looked agape at Oma as she turned to leave him.

"But…" She quickly put up a hand to stop him.

"Keep silent. I will return before the verdict is given. Trust in me, Tenal."

He nodded quietly as she spirited herself away with all the haste she could muster. Once she was gone, Tenal hurried out of the room, heading towards the trial area as Oma had told him.

The trial continued on for what seemed like ages as Sam and then Teal'c were asked to speak on Jack's behalf. They both told a similar story to Jacob's and Ayola began to feel as though the judges might be leaning slightly more in their favor, though he wasn't quite certain. Finally, as Teal'c stepped away from the podium and went back to his seat, the head judge began to speak.

"Have you anymore witnesses for us to hear?"

Jack and Ayola shared a quick glance and Ayola nodded to the judge. "No, we do not."

"Very well. Janus, do wish to say anything else on your own behalf?"

Taking a deep breath Jack nodded. "I have only this to say…I did kill those Wraith, but only in defense of a planet that a previous judgement left me to do my penance on. I don't regret my actions, though I do regret that it's come to this. I did what I did to protect the people I've come to care about, and if given the chance to redo things, I would still have done the same. I couldn't let the Wraith destroy my people. If this panel sees fit to decide against me, then so be it. I wasn't wrong, and whatever this panel decides won't change that fact."

Jack crossed his arms over his chest and the judge stood. "We will retire to consider all the information brought before us. You and your speaker will be returned to the waiting room until we have reached a decision."

With that the judges all stood and left, while Jack and Ayola went back to the room they had been in before, with Daniel and the others just behind them.

"We made a good argument back there. The judges have to see that." Sam tried to sound positive, but Jack shook his head in disagreement with her.

"They'll see what they want to see. The only reason they let us finish was because they didn't want to look bad. They decided my fate before I stepped foot in front of them."

"How can you be so cynical, Janus?"

Jack shot the Ascended a glare that would have sent most running for cover. "Don't call me that. I haven't been that person for 10,000 years. Janus died along with your father."

Ayola seemed taken aback at the mention of his father. "I'm sorry."

There was a long silence before Daniel finally broke it with a question. "Am I the only one that realizes that once this is over, Jack may not be the only one that dies?"

The exasperation was clear in the young man's voice as his eyes locked with Ayola's. "I have made my peace with what is to come, Daniel."

"You're going to die so that I can live. How am I supposed to let you do that?"

Jack took a step towards Daniel and placed a hand on his shoulder. "He wants you to live, Danny."

"You could die for what you did to save the SGC, and someone I hardly know is going to die for me, Jack. How the hell did this happen!"

Sam, Jacob, and Teal'c moved a bit closer to the two men and Daniel looked at each of them as he shook his head, not sure what else to say.

"None of this is fair. No one should have to die." Jack nodded in agreement with Sam.

"Unfortunately that's just not the way it works."

"You all speak as though the decision has already been made. There is still time." They all glared at Ayola as though he'd lost his mind, and Jack took a step towards him.

"What do you know that we don't?"

Ayola shook his head. "Nothing. I merely have more faith than you appear to have."

The group continued to talk amongst themselves for a few more minutes before they were called back into the trial room. They quietly walked back inside and took their seats as the judges entered the room and did the same. Jack took his place at the podium, and to everyone's surprise they saw Oma step into the room just as the judge began to speak.

Jack stood with his head held high as the judge spoke. "After carefully considering this case and all that was brought before us, this panel finds you guilty. Being that you were already under punishment when this incident occurred, the only punishment we can give you is death. Your sentence will be carried out along with the punishment of Ayola. Have you any last words before we commence with the sentencing?"

Shaking his head Jack sighed. He glared at the judges, and his eyes locked with the female judge that had taunted him earlier. She was almost smiling as Jack stepped down from the podium to stand beside Ayola in front of the panel. His anger began to rise and he felt his control begin to slip away ever so slowly.

"Very well. We will begin the sentencing immediately."

The female judge and another judge that had been seated at the opposite end of the table stepped around the table and approached Jack and Ayola. Daniel and the others stood up and shouted for the judges to reconsider, but the head judge raised his hand to silence them.

"The cases have been heard, and our decisions are final. If you do not wish to remain here we will gladly return you to Earth."

At that they all went silent, Oma placing a hand on Daniel's shoulder to calm him. The judge motioned for the other two judges to continue and they both took their places in front of Jack and Ayola. They both reached out their hands and placed them on either side of both men's heads, closing their eyes as they did so.

Intense pain shot through Jack's head and he felt himself begin to fall. He could see a strange light surround him as the pain increased.

Daniel and the others could see their leader as he writhed in obvious pain. Then they watched as Ayola and Jack appeared to lose their physical form. It was as though their bodies were being broken down piece-by-piece and in effect disintegrating and disappearing before their very eyes.

Suddenly a loud shout from across the room got everyone's attention and stopped the two judges in their tracks. Jack and Ayola fell to the floor in a heap while Daniel and the others watched as a slender brunette stepped forward, stopping only when she reached the judge's table.

"You will not do this." Her voice was firm, as she leaned in to look the head judge square in the eyes.

"They are guilty and as such are being punished."

"If you continue this, the repercussions will not be pleasant." She turned for a moment and pointed to Jack as she spoke again. "I know why you want him dead, and I will not allow you take his life or Ayola's."

The judge laughed and shook his head. "You cannot stop us."

"Alone I cannot, but I did not come here alone." The strange woman smiled at the judge and turned towards the doorway. The room began to fill with glowing beings, and the other Ascended in the room shouted in disdain as they too began to take their glowing form.

"This is madness; Outcasts such as you cannot interfere in this!"

Daniel and the others gasped as they looked around the room. It was then that they noticed that Oma had joined the stranger in front of the judge.

"You have brought this on yourselves. Too many times have you tried to stop those of us that only wished to help, and punished us for being willing to do what others will not." Oma began to glow as she spoke and her voice seemed to shake the room.

The stranger nodded in agreement. "Desa speaks the truth. Enough damage has been done because of what you judges and others like you have done to those of us that care, and who choose to help the Tau'ri and any other species that you would consider as lesser beings. It stops now!"

All the judges shrank back in their seats and the two that had been punishing Jack and Ayola moved towards Oma and the stranger.

"Who do you think you are!" The female judge shouted as she reached a hand out to touch the stranger.

"Who I am is of no consequence. I am merely another Outcast from the many that judges like yourself have banished for trying to save those they care for."

The stranger raised her right hand, her palm facing the judge as she closed her eyes. The room was silent as the judge was lifted in the air and throw backwards into the nearby wall. Before anyone else could say anything, Oma turned to Daniel and the others.

"Take Jack and Ayola. Follow Tenal. He will keep you safe."

For a moment they all froze in their tracks, but they quickly recovered and grabbed their fallen friends and carried them out of the room, following Tenal. There were a few shouts from judges to stop the humans from leaving, but Oma and the stranger used their Ascended powers to stop anyone that tried to hinder the group's leaving.

Teal'c and Jacob were quick to grab Jack and Ayola, following behind Sam and Daniel as the group started towards the doorway leading out of the trial room. As they approached it, several Ascendeds moved in their direction but were quickly forced back by Tenal and the stranger that ushered them out the door. Tenal led them out, then down a long corridor. As they neared the end of the corridor a doorway came into view.

"We must get them to safety." Tenal shook his head as he glanced at the still unconscious men being carried towards him.

Jack was cradled in Teal'c's massive arms while Jacob held Ayola. Tenal reached out a hand towards the door and roughly pulled it open; it hit the wall with a resounding thud.

Sam took a step forward to look through the now open door, all she could see was a bright light and what appeared to be large shadows floating around in the light. She gasped and turned back to Tenal and the others. "What is that?"

"There is little time to explain." The voice came from behind them; they turned and stared in surprise at a familiar face.

"Skaara?" Daniel reached out towards the smiling young man who took his hand in response.

"We will have time to speak later. Now we must go." With that Skaara let go of Daniel and quickly moved past him. "Tenal and I will guide you all."

The two Ascendeds shared a quick glance and then instructed everyone to join hands. They were all linked together as Tenal and Skaara led them through the door and into the light.

> > > >

The klaxons blared through the SGC as Colonel Reynolds led a group of SFs to the gateroom. They arrived in time to see the event horizon erupt through the gate, the iris promptly closing over it. A glowing figure passed through the trinium covering and stopped at the end of the ramp. Reynolds and the SFs had their weapons trained on the glowing being as they waited for some sign as to what the creature wanted with them. Everyone watched cautiously as the being moved closer to the Colonel, stopping just in front of him, reaching out a tentacle-like appendage to cover Reynolds's right hand.

An image popped into the Colonel's mind and he gasped in surprise, then shouted for the SFs to stay back. A moment later he was assaulted with more images, and stumbled to his knees as the images poured through him. The gate shut down and the being lifted Reynolds's off the ramp and into the air, carrying him away from the Stargate.

> > > >

The world around them seemed to be spinning, then ground to a halt as they opened their eyes. They found themselves standing in the briefing room, much as they had been before Oma arrived to ask for their help, only this time Jack and Ayola were also there, lying across the center of the table in a heap. The group quickly gathered themselves and set to checking on their two friends who had not regained consciousness.

Daniel blinked and reached to touch his face. "That was…different."

Sam smirked and shook her head. "Tell me about it. We had to do that to get to wherever it was your trial was taking place."

Skaara bent down and placed a hand on Jack's forehead. "They are not safe here. Tenal and I must take them with us."

Daniel turned to Skaara, concern clearly written on his face. "Will they be alright?"

"They will be fine, Dan-yel. We will care for them."

"Why can't they stay here?" Sam asked as she rested her hand on Jack's forehead, nearly yanking her hand back at the icy feel to the General's skin.

"The Others will be looking for them. Skaara and I will take them someplace safe, where we can tend to them." The group didn't look pleased with Tenal's answer, but the Ascended shook his head and stepped forwards to take Jack. "We haven't the time to quarrel over this. You must let us help him."

Reluctantly Sam and Teal'c stepped away from their injured comrades and allowed Tenal and Skaara to take hold of them.

"We will return soon, Dan-yel."

"Where are you taking them?" Skaara smiled softly and shook his head at Daniel.

"We will take them somewhere safe. That is all you need to know."

Before anyone could say another word, a group of SFs burst through the door.

The leader of the group stepped forward, still clutching his weapon tightly to this chest. He stared at the room's inhabitants in confusion, until his eyes settled on Sam. "Colonel Carter?"

"What is it, airman?" She took a step towards him.

"Colonel Reynolds has disappeared, ma'am."

"What do you mean disappeared!"

The young airman gulped and lowered his head. "A glowing…creature…being…came through the gate and took him."

Sam turned to Skaara and Tenal for the briefest of moments and then turned back to the nervous looking airman.

"Took him through the gate?"

"Yes ma'am. It came through and Colonel Reynolds got close to it. It reached out to touch him and he told us to back away, then it just sorta swallowed him up and then turned on the gate and went through."

"Did you get coordinates?"

"We're trying to redial, but we can't get a lock."

Colonel Carter was about to speak when Tenal stepped forward. "I believe we may be of assistance in this matter. Skaara and I must take O'Neill and Ayola with us, but we will check on your Colonel Reynolds once we are safely away from here."

Sam stared blankly at the two Ascendeds who were already moving to carry Jack and Ayola to the gate. She nodded quickly and Teal'c and Jacob joined in to help Tenal and Ayola.

"When will we hear from you again?" Daniel asked as they left the conference room.

"Do not worry, Dan-yel. It should not be long." Skaara's words did nothing to comfort Daniel or the others, but they could say nothing in response.

A few minutes later Tenal waved a hand in front of the gate and it immediately sprang to life, the event horizon erupting forth. Together Tenal and Skaara took the General and Ayola in their arms and started up the ramp towards the Stargate. Daniel and the others watched in silence as the two Ascendeds left through the gate with their leader without another word.

As the gate shut down, Daniel turned to face Sam and the others. His expression said all that needed to be said. They were all afraid for Jack and for Ayola. Though they weren't entirely certain what had happened when they were with the Ascendeds earlier, they knew that something big was happening and they had somehow managed to end up right in the middle of it.

> > > >

Tenal and Skaara stepped away from the gate and placed their charges on the waiting stretchers. Beside the stretchers were two other Ascended, who each took hold of a stretcher and began to help Tenal and Skaara carry the two men away. In a flash they were moving from the Stargate and towards a small village a few miles down the dirt path.

"This O'Neill is far stronger than the Others realized is he not?" Tenal asked as he and Skaara reached the village.

"O'Neill is the One. He does not yet know what he has become, but he soon will."

Tenal gasped in surprise at Skaara's words and they quickened their pace coming to a halt just outside a temple-like structure in the center of the city. The heavy stone doors gently swung open to allow them access and they quickly stepped inside, letting the doors close behind them with a deafening thud.

They set the stretchers down at the end of the corridor where Oma was waiting for them with a look of concern on her face.

"Why didn't you come straight here, Tenal?" She asked as she bent down to get a closer look at Jack and Ayola.

"There wasn't time. We had to return the humans to their base first."

Oma sighed in frustration, and then moved her hand across Jack's chest. As she did so, the General moaned in pain. A moment later she was joined by the mysterious woman that had interrupted the trial.

"Were we too late, Desa?" There was a noticeable pain in the woman's voice, and Oma couldn't help but feel for her.

"I do not believe so. If you take care of Ayola, I will see to Jack. He is strong. I do not believe they had gotten far in the process before we intervened. He should be fine. They should both be just fine."

Several hours passed while the women attempted to heal Jack and Ayola. Tenal and Skaara had watched for a while, and then retreated to the other side of the temple. While there they encountered another Ascended tending to a human.

"Who is this?" Skaara asked as he approached the Ascended.

"I went to the Tau'ri home world to seek you out. Oma was disturbed that you had not arrived yet. I attempted to communicate with this human, but I am afraid I injured him somewhat. I brought him here so I could heal him; though I am afraid I upset his people when I did so."

"They were greatly concerned at his disappearance." The Ascended turned to Skaara and Tenal and lowered his head, feeling guilty for what he had done.

The Ascended moved his glowing hand over Colonel Reynolds's chest. A few minutes later the Colonel awoke, instinctively trying to get away from the three beings looking down at him. The Colonel was utterly confused at the sight before him. He recognized the glowing being from earlier at the SGC, but the other two people were not at all familiar. Neither glowed, so he assumed they were human. It took a moment to find his voice, and he could see that they were patiently waiting for him to gather himself enough to speak.

"Where…am…I?" He managed to squeak out, his throat feeling coarse and rough as the words left him.

"You are in a safe place. My friend accidentally harmed you when he tried to communicate with you earlier. He brought you here so that he could heal you. We will return you to your people soon." Skaara reached out a hand towards the Colonel, who hesitantly took it and allowed himself to be helped up.

"I am called Skaara. This is Tenal, and the one who you spoke with earlier is Miran." Colonel nodded quietly as he was introduced, and let himself be led away from the room he'd been in, and through the temple.

They stopped where Oma was tending to Jack and the Colonel took a step forward, gasping when he recognized his CO lying helpless on the ground while the woman moved her hands over his chest.

"What happened?" Reynolds looked at Skaara and Tenal as he spoke, and the two men sighed heavily before responding.

"Oma is trying to heal him. He was…injured."

Reynolds raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Will he be alright?"

"He should wake soon." Oma's voice caught them all by surprise and they turned to see her smiling at them.

"Is there any way I can contact my people and let them know I'm okay?"

Oma answered the Colonel's question with a shake of her head. "Not yet. Once Jack wakes you will both be sent back through the Stargate to the SGC."

"Oh…okay." Reynolds turned to look at his CO, who was still unconscious. "When might that be?"

Turning back to her patient Oma shrugged her shoulders. "Soon."

Obviously hoping for a clearer answer, the Colonel sighed and shook his head. Time went by as they all waited for Jack to wake. When Ayola woke, Reynolds followed Skaara to another part of the temple where they could get some food and drink and Jack was left with the stranger from the trial. The Ascended woman tended to him, gently pressing a cool cloth to his forehead every so often and whispering softly to him.

About an hour later Jack started to stir and the woman was by his side in an instant. She pressed her hand to his cheek and smiled softly as he opened his eyes. For a moment he merely blinked up at her as if unsure who she was or if she was even real. Slowly he began to sit up and reached out a hand to touch the woman's face.

"Chaya?"

Her smile broadened as she nodded. "Yes Janus. Your eyes are not deceiving you."

"But…you're dead."

Chaya chuckled as she shook her head. "If I were dead would I be able to do this?"

As the question left her lips she leaned down and pressed them to his. The kiss was chaste, but it left Jack wide-eyed as she pulled away.

"How…I don't understand…they told me you died…that the sickness had taken you." Jack held her hand tightly not wanting to let go.

"I was told that you and Jarron had died doing your time travel experiments. It wasn't until Tenal told me about the trial that I even knew you were alive. Desa came to me during the trial to tell me they were likely to execute you. I had to come."

"Well, I'm glad you did." Jack brought his hand back up to caress her cheek and felt a tear rolling down to touch his thumb.

They stared at one another in silence for what seemed like ages, tears streaming down both their faces as they gripped each other's hands as though they were lifelines. It wasn't until Colonel Reynolds returned with Skaara and Tenal that Jack and Chaya realized they were still staring at one another.

"General! You're awake." Colonel Reynolds was by Jack's side in a flash.

"That I am, Colonel." Jack stared up at the soldier and raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Um, not to be rude, but what are you doing here?"

"Well, one of the Ascendeds came to the base wanting information about you and SG-1's whereabouts. He sort of accidentally zapped me and then brought me here to fix me up. Apparently this particular Ascended was one of the younger ones and didn't know exactly what he was doing. From what I understand he nearly killed me."

The General brought his hand to his head, sighing heavily. "Lucky you."

"I guess if that's what you call lucky, sir."

Jack opened his mouth to speak, and smiled when he saw a familiar face peek around the Colonel's shoulder. "Skaara?"

"O'Neill! It is good to see you well."

Reynolds moved aside as the younger man bent down to take Jack's hand. The two embraced and then Skaara sat back and waited for the General to speak.

"What's going on? First Chaya and now you, I thought you went all glowy? How is that I can touch you?"

Skaara laughed and rolled his eyes at Jack. "Oma has taught me how to take human form when the need arises."

"Daniel could do that too, but I couldn't touch him."

"That was different. Things have changed since then."

Jack stared blankly at Skaara, then turned to where Chaya was now standing several feet away. "What the heck is going on? Where's Ayola?"

"We are having trouble healing him. The judges did much damage before we could stop them." Oma sighed as the concern on Jack's face increased.

"Will he be alright?"

"Only time will tell." He was less than pleased with Oma's answer, but he could tell by the look on her face it was truly the best that she could give me.

"What's going on with me?" Jack raised his arms

The Ascended woman lowered her head and looked away. She was about to speak when Desa spoke up from her place in the corner of the room where she had been quietly waiting since Skaara and the others had returned.

"You are not as you once were, Jack."

Rolling his eyes Jack groaned. "What does that mean?"

"You've been sensing the changes for months now. When you were able to sense the other Outcasts…The way you were able to destroy the Wraith that entered the base…you are no longer what you once were."

"Okay, I know I got some of my Ancient abilities back, but…"

"It is more than that, Janus." Chaya interrupted him as she took a few steps closer to him.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

They all watched as Jack got to his feet and moved to the opposite corner of the room, away from everyone else. He paced the floor for a moment trying to grasp what they were saying, but it still didn't make any sense to him.

"Do you remember when you killed Deygan, everyone was terrified at what you'd done?"

Jack winced as Oma brought back a memory he wished he could erase from his mind. "That's not something I'm likely to forget, Desa. What's it got to do with this?"

"People were afraid because no other Ancient had shown that sort of power; only someone who had Ascended was able to do that. I did not realize it until recently, but that is why they chose such a harsh punishment for you. They feared your power growing. I think with the combination of the two Ancient downloads and the gene suppression device that was implanted in you, you have evolved beyond anything the Others could have foreseen."

"That's crazy!" Jack turned away from Oma and his eyes met Chaya's. She nodded her head in agreement with Oma and Jack threw his arms in the air in disbelief. "This is all just insane! How exactly did you all come up with a cockamamie notion like this anyway!"

"Think about it, Janus! Desa is right. You know you have changed. Tell us you don't feel it. Look within yourself, and you will know we speak the truth."

For a moment Jack closed his eyes trying to push away what they were saying to him, but something about their words did resonate within him, and he groaned as he wildly shook his head.

"Even if what you say is true, what does it mean that I'm 'evolved'…or whatever the heck it is you think has happened to me?"

"You're the One, Jack."

Jack glared at Oma as if she'd suddenly grown another head. "The One what?"

Oma and Chaya stepped closer to Jack, invading his personal space as they reached out to touch his now shaking hands. He allowed the touch, but his eyes were intently focused on both of their faces as Oma slowly began to speak.

"Before the Wraith came to Atlantis, the priests said that one of us would come and free us from our bonds, that this warrior would set us free from those that would destroy us."

The General yanked himself away from the two women. "Are you mad! You think I'm some mythic warrior a bunch of priests foresaw over 10,000 years ago! I stopped believing in fairy tales and legends a long time ago, Desa. You've both gone mental if you actually believe this! You forget these are the same priests that swore that Ascension was the only way to save ourselves. I didn't believe them then, and don't believe you now."

"Let us explain, Jack. I didn't believe it either, until Chaya showed me the writings the priests left behind. Let us show them to you, and then decide for yourself. Please. Just give us a chance."

Oma pleaded with Jack and reluctantly he gave in, breathing a frustrated sigh as she turned to Skaara who was holding a box in his arms. He reached out to give it to her and she set in on the floor, motioning for Jack and the others to join her. Carefully, she pulled out a few rolls of parchment and two small crystals that were inside the small box.

Jack rolled the crystals over in his palm, and couldn't help but think there was something familiar about them. Shrugging the feeling off, he reached for the parchment, the crystals still in his hand. As he read the parchment the others noticed the crystals begin to glow a deep blue. For a moment Jack swore he heard a voice begin to whisper in his ear and he looked up from the parchment to see the others staring, transfixed by his still glowing hand.

In shock he dropped the parchment and opened his right hand. The crystals glowed brightly as he stared down at them. The whispering voice seemed to grow louder as the crystals got brighter. In seconds he could hear clearly what the voice was telling him, and he gasped as the crystals began to glow so brightly everyone had to close their eyes.

'We have been waiting for you.' The voice was now shouting and ringing in his ears and he cried out as the crystals suddenly imbedded themselves in his palm and ceased to glow.

The silence in the room was deafening as Jack slowly closed his eyes and fell backwards into unconsciousness.

tbc...