Thanks for your review guys. Please, please keep 'em coming…I'm getting' lonely out here. I hope you all enjoy this chapter…it's what you've all been waiting for.

debcole – now as you say, for the big reveal!

YESTERDAY.

by Lingren.

Italics...indicate the internal conversation between the host and his Tok'ra symbiote.

Previously:

Daniel's eyes flicked round to Sam in time to see her sit up and take note too. He swung his gaze back to Ryan to see the gentle amusement in his bright blue eyes, a slight smile playing on the thin lips, not quite hidden amongst the growth of beard and moustache.

Chapter 6

He knew!

The man knew they wouldn't be able to ignore this part of the proceedings, and Daniel felt that he was missing something. Something big that Ryan was hiding, and that when he discovered what it was; it would turn out to be enormous. He had no doubt that this man held a deep dark secret, perhaps even bigger than the Stargate programme itself. What that whopper of a secret was though, he couldn't even stab at a guess.

"Mr. Ryan wishes to convey to you his thoughts on this, his pet project; one which he has seen through, from its tentative research right up to the present day. Each one of you here today should know that you were chosen by him to become the best team, and Commander of the SGC."

"What?" all four voices raised in surprise. "How?"

Adam fended off their questions with a raised hand, and an amused smile.

"Please, if I may proceed, you will understand Mr. Ryan's logic in time," he placated them.

Then Adam started with Teal'c.

"Because you are a Jaffa Teal'c, there is not much to expound on your past. Suffice it to say that Mr. Ryan has 'watched' you develop from a total stranger; an alien adrift in a sea of humanity, to become a loyal and valued member of this facility. Your calm aura tempering the more obscure rough edges from your team-mates. Your stoic acceptance of all things foreign, has made you a friend to all. You trusted your instincts when they were tested and they have served you well. Mr. Ryan hopes they will continue to do so in the future. You are always there for your team-mates at the worst of times as well as in happier moments; your inner strength is theirs by default. Your humour all your own. You are truly a great warrior Teal'c. A shining example of the good to be found in your people. Mr. Ryan hopes that they will be freed from their slavery very soon."

Teal'c bowed his head in acknowledgement of Ryan's generous statement, though he failed to understand how John Ryan could assess this much about him by merely reading reports.

"Major Samantha Carter," Adam began after he had sipped a little water from the glass at his elbow. "Mr. Ryan knew you were the right woman for the job many years ago. You excelled in school and he has watched you grow from afar, even as you took your first steps at the Academy. He has seen you develop into a capable warrior as well as a competent officer. It was at his recommendation that you be given access to the Stargate project two years before the programme actually started. He has been instrumental in grooming your career in the Air Force so that you would eventually join the team here at the SGC..."

Sam was absolutely stunned to think that this total stranger had manipulated her career all the way along. That he had known her from when she was young, right through her life and she'd never once thought that anyone had spied on her all this time. She was speechless and infuriated at the sheer nerve of the man; billionaire or not. But, then came the kicker...without his help there would be no SGC and certainly, the Stargate would have been forgotten long ago, therefore she would never have met Jack. So despite the deep pain she was feeling at Jack's loss, she had been so happy here. This was the life she was loving and she had Ryan to thank for it.

"...You are an exceedingly clever woman Samantha..." Adam carried on. "...and the brains of SG-1. Without your excellent knowledge of all things pertaining to the inner workings of any technology, SG-1 would not be here now. Not only are you a brilliant scientist, but you are beautiful and have captured many hearts; including that of Colonel O'Neill from the very first day of your arrival. Mr. Ryan is exceedingly sorry that things turned out this way, but he is sure things will be looking up for you in the very near future."

Sam reddened and didn't dare look at General Hammond whom she heard suck in a sharp breath at this news; he believed it was such a recent development between them. She would probably be summoned to his office after this meeting is over, she sighed.

"And now, Doctor Daniel Jackson; the last, but by no means, the least important member of SG-1." Adam nodded at Daniel as the archaeologist's ears pricked up and his back straightened in anticipation. "Perhaps it will be of news to you that without Mr. Ryan's intervention, the Stargate programme would never have gotten under way. It was his funding that started the ball rolling by giving Catherine Langford the opportunity and the wherewithal to carry on her Father's research. Mr. Ryan funded the good Doctor Langford by his generous donations and insistence that this unused missile silo be utilised for the project. Your theories on ancient Egypt were well known to him as he followed your career with interest. It was also at his insistence that Catherine brought you into the fold and he was confident in his assumption that if anyone could open the 'Doorway to Heaven' it would be you. It was by his request that you be allowed to join SG-1 when you returned from Abydos, as he knew you would in order to search for Sha're. You are the gentle soul of the team; the conscience and the heart of SG-1. Long may your work continue, though your search for your former wife has since sadly ended in tragedy."

Daniel sighed with regret. Yes he'd lost his beloved Sha're, but he'd met some incredible people along the way and made more friends than he'd ever had. SG-1 were his family; something he'd been searching for since he'd lost his parents. This was his home now and Jack's loss would be felt deeply.

Adam paused again to take another drink. His eyes looked to his employer for confirmation as to how he was doing. A smile and a nod of reassurance was reflected back bringing a grin to Adam's lips too.

Daniel watched, fascinated by the easy relationship that obviously existed between the two and wondered what was behind it. It was rumoured that Ryan never went anywhere without Adam, and Daniel immediately thought of the old saying with amusement, that 'Ryan had known Adam since he was a boy'.

"General Hammond..." Adam started again, shocking the General who hadn't believed that he would be included in this weird version of 'This is your Life'. "...without Mr. Ryan's intervention, you would be happily retired, though he believes that you have enjoyed the past five years working here, despite the added pressure of having Jack O'Neill as a 'pain in the ass' and as your Second in Command."

Hammond and the others were startled by his comments about Jack, though the General did find himself smiling, despite feeling that the man was making derogatory remarks about Jack who was no longer here to defend himself.

"Does anyone have any questions they would like answered?" Adam asked when he had finished.

"Ah, yes, I'd like to say something if that's all right? Actually, it's not a question as such." Daniel raised a finger to get Adam's attention.

"Please, go ahead, Dr. Jackson," Adam smiled, receiving a nod from his patron.

"In all of this talk, you've mentioned how much you have seen us grow and develop, and become a force to be reckoned with. That's all well and good, and I can appreciate that you are justifiably proud of this programme. Explaining how you've overseen the project from the beginning etc., you've mentioned General Hammond, Teal'c, Sam and myself, but what about Jack? Doesn't he deserve some mention in all of this? Just because he...died, doesn't he warrant a few words?" Daniel argued adamantly, annoyed with their patron who had all but ignored their late leader.

"Without him, we weren't a team. Without him we wouldn't be here now, let alone talking to you. Jack was everything to us; he was the glue that held us together. He was the CO we looked to...to get us out of trouble. Whenever we found ourselves in trouble, there was always a plan B as far as he was concerned and it damn well worked too. He never left anyone behind, not if he could help it; that wasn't his way. We trusted his judgement implicitly, maybe not always agreeing with it, but we respected him. We are living testament to his skills as a soldier and a leader. He was a friend to us all, and more than that, he was a damn good friend..."

Daniel's voice broke and it took a few moments before he could continue.

"Jack deserved more than he got out of this, but he didn't ask for anything in return, except our loyalty and trust. He died doing what he loved best, serving this country, saving this world, whatever. He'd, 'Been there and done that; and got the T-shirt,' as he would say. He always did his job to the best of his ability. Did you watch him grow up too? Did you see his pain? Share in his suffering when his son Charlie died? Did you watch and see how much his service with the Air Force meant to him, and what it ultimately cost him?" Daniel's anger was growing, his voice rising with it, standing now to force home his point. "Don't you think he deserves some merit for that? For pulling his life back together and starting over anew? Yet, just because he's gone, doesn't mean he's not here with us now, in spirit if not in body..." Daniel gulped down a sob, no longer able to speak through his constricted throat. He sat down heavily in his chair and held his hands to his face, covering up his grief, the tears leaking through his long fingers.

Sam laid a hand on his arm, squeezing it lightly, her emotions tentatively held in check, her unbridled anger directed to the man at the other end of the table.

It was true. In all the things he'd said, he'd never once mentioned Jack's role in all of this, except to call him a 'pain in the ass!'. Without Jack, none of this would be happening.

"Why now?" she asked, trying hard to control the disappointed irritation festering deep inside her. "Why did you come now, while things are so difficult for us? Have you no sensibilities?"

Ryan sat in stony silence. His eyes full of sadness, yet he held a slight sad smile that puzzled her. After a few moments, he nodded to Adam and the man excused himself to leave the room. Adam glanced anxiously towards his employer, uncertain if he should be doing this. Ryan smiled up at him, laying a firm hand on his arm and nodded. The aide turned and walked through the door, still worried, but willing to obey his boss's will.

Sam guiltily thought that perhaps she had gone just a little too far. She shot a silent apology across to the General who sat speechless after Daniel outburst, thinking that they had blown their budget for the future, and the Stargate programme would now sink without a trace.

When the room had grown quiet again, Ryan stood and paced a little, his hands stuffed into the pocket of his suit pants.

To their eyes, he seemed to be in a little bit of a turmoil. He was so deep in thought that Sam felt she should apologise to him, hoping she hadn't setback any help for the SGC.

"I'm sorry Mr. Ryan..." she began. " ...but I..."

He turned abruptly, holding out a hand to stop her in mid speech.

He smiled at them, and shook his head; looking briefly at the floor before speaking.

"Wow, what can I say to that? That was some speech Danny!" he said simply, bringing his head up again to smile at his friend; feeling a little choked by emotion.

Daniel's head shot up, his tears forgotten.

The voice was so familiar, sounding so much like...?

At first he though he was dreaming, perhaps the grief he felt was playing on his mind.

"Jack?" he whispered, shocked.

"Oh god!" Sam shot a surprised stare towards Ryan.

"It is you isn't it?" Daniel asked half-afraid he'd gone crazy as Ryan turned away.

"Colonel? You...you're Ryan?" the General gasped, stupefied by the whole idea. Ryan had been around a long time.

Ryan shrugged, spinning round to face them all again, a huge grin on his face.

"Hi kids! I gather ya missed me, huh?"

TBC