YESTERDAY.

by Lingren.

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

Previously:

There was no response from Kanan; he had shut himself off from Jack's insult and retreated into the background.

Chapter 10

NINETEEN DAYS LATER.

It was a clean-shaven John Ryan that slipped from the limousine and entered the glass building that towered above him. He'd already had his hair trimmed short ready to resume his rightful place in the military, and to look the part too. Now he just had to bide his time and wait for Kanan. His entourage surrounded him as he headed for the elevator to his private penthouse suite. He'd just returned from a visit to the White House to discuss the future of the SGC with the President.

Jack shucked off his jacket, hanging it on the back of the chair and pulled his tie loose, before undoing the top button of his shirt. He stood and gazed out of the vast window overlooking the city below, then slid the patio door open and stepped onto the balcony beyond.

It had been almost three weeks since he'd visited the SGC, and still Kanan hadn't clued him in on when his 'death' would occur, and it was eating him alive not knowing when. Kanan had remained fairly low key and Jack supposed he was bracing himself for all the work he would have to do to preserve his life, while maintaining a cover of appearing dead to the outside world.

"Kanan?" He asked in a pleading voice.

"Sorry Jack, no can do. You will have to be patient. You must relax more. It won't help if you're too tense."

"It's not knowing when, that's making me tense. It's been weeks now! Everything has been sorted. We're just waiting on you."

"Soon Jack. Be patient!"

"I'm missing my team already." He whined. "We can't leave it too long or everyone will get suspicious! I don't have all that hair to hide my 'youthful' looks behind anymore."

"I know. I'm working on it."

Jack sighed deeply and turned back into the room when his lunch arrived. Meals were oftentimes lonely affairs, despite having Adam for company. Dinner for two usually, though on the odd occasions, he'd had the company of his only real friend in this existence, Teddy Miller as well. He was the only person who knew of his real identity over the interim years.

Ryan made his way over to the small table where his food had been laid out. He was about to take his place when he heard an argument going on in the next room. His curiosity peaked, he went to investigate.

"I must speak to Mr. Ryan!" the stranger's voice shouted. "Let me see him!"

"What do you want to see him about?" asked Adam calmly. He did not intend to allow this man to see Mr. Ryan, not in the half-drunken state he was in, at any rate.

"That's a personal matter. I'm not saying another word until I get to see him!" Demanded the stranger.

"What's goin' on here Adam?" Jack asked, his voice cold and hard. The glare he sent the group at the door would have melted an Arctic winter.

The stranger took advantage of the distraction and broke through the ranks of Adam and the bodyguards. He ran across the room towards Jack, the entourage close on his heels.

Jack tensed his body, waiting, wondering. Alert to any possible danger.

The stranger, a young man in his late twenties came face to face with Jack at the same time that he was wrestled from behind by Adam and a bodyguard. The momentum of the tackle sent him careening in Jack, knocking him backwards quicker than he could react.

Jack hit his head on the wall as he fell and though stunned, he hazily fought back.

There was a scuffle on the floor between all four of them. The young man had grabbed onto Jack's leg as he'd tried to scramble away and wouldn't let go, then he kicked back and caught Adam on the chin, making him see stars, who in turn found himself in the bodyguard's lap. The stranger kicked himself free of Adam's now lax grip and launched himself onto Jack again.

"You Bastard!" he screamed, as they fell back to the floor once more. Jack ended up sprawled on his back with the weight of the younger man pinning him down.

Jack had no idea what he'd done to be labelled so, and didn't know who the young man was, but he fought to rid himself of the burden through the muzzy disorientation; a result from his collision with the wall.

Jack only caught a glimpse of the knife in the man's hand just as it plunged into his chest.

His head fell back, pain etched deep on his features, his hands automatically seeking out to clutch the wound as he gasped inadequately, desperate to suck in a breath.

"Relax Jack. I've got you. Don't fight me!" Kanan soothed, though he was hard pressed to keep Jack breathing evenly.

Jack couldn't think clearly for a moment, as the voice in his head tried to help him, then he recalled his symbiote.

"Kanan!" He gasped. "Is this it? Couldn't you have thought of an 'easier' way?" he snarked.

"No Jack! This isn't my doing. I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened. Trust me! I'll make it right!"

Kanan's voice floated away as the symbiote concentrated his efforts in stopping Jack's blood from leaking rapidly from his body.

Shaken with the reality of what had just happened, Jack couldn't move. Then just as suddenly, the younger man jerked and crumpled, his body toppling forwards onto Jack and inadvertently pushing the knife in deeper.

Jack couldn't help the strangled cry that wrenched from his lips as his body spasmed in response to the renewed pressure and then the world spun away from him, pushing him over the edge into the darkness.

Adam and the other bodyguards dragged the now unconscious assailant from their employer, and gasped in horror at the sight that greeted them.

Jack lay unconscious; bleeding heavily from a stab wound to his chest. His blood was spilling freely over his white shirt and down onto the beige carpet below.

Adam felt for a pulse against Jack's neck, yelling at the same time. His fingers barely discerning a weak throb and he feared greatly for his employer, knowing they had let him down.

"Get Dr. Miller and an ambulance! Now!"

Someone dashed off to the phone, Adam wasn't sure who it was, he didn't care, just so long as help arrived, and soon, before it was too late.

Adam backed off a little when a towel appeared in front of his face, and gently started to wipe the blood trickling from his nose. In all the concern for Ryan, he'd ignored his own injury. One of the bodyguards took over keeping the pressure on Jack's wound, while a couple of other guards took the unconscious attacker away, and bound his hands and feet to keep him from escaping until the Police arrived.

Moments later a commotion at the door caught Adam's attention and he dragged his eyes away from Ryan's still form to see what was happening.

Edward Miller rushed in to the chaos. Taking in the seriousness of the situation, he wondered if this had been planned beforehand, or if it was as much of a surprise to Jack as it had been to him. He hurried over to Adam and laid a hand on his shoulder in reassurance before he knelt down beside his friend. The others pulled away allowing him access as the Doctor leaned over the inert body and started to check his friend over.

Jack was so pale and still, that Adam, still stunned over the rapid deterioration of events, had thought they were too late to save him anyway.

Mr. Ryan had been like a father to him. He'd taken him off the streets when he was a homeless youth and fed and housed him, giving him a chance that no-one else would. A chance to better himself. He'd put him through college and in turn Adam had become his personal assistant. Speaking for him in public and writing up notes for meetings. He'd never understood his benefactor's wish to remain a recluse, but what he had noticed over the years was that the man never seemed to grow old much. He'd hidden that fact under the beard and long grey hair, both of which had been streaked with white now, though the beard was gone along with the unruly mop of hair making Ryan look so much younger than he should do. Of course, he'd never discussed the matter, even though he knew that Ryan held a secret close to his heart. He knew many things about the man but still never knew the real Ryan.

Dr. Miller insisted that everyone leave the room, including Adam. He instructed one of the guards to take him into the kitchen and clean him up. Miller needed a moment alone. He had to find out if Kanan was okay, and what he was doing about Jack's condition.

"Kanan?" Miller called softly when everyone had left them.

Slowly Jack's eyes opened and glowed dimly.

"I am here Teddy," he replied in his Tok'ra timbre.

"How's Jack?"

"Dying, but I'm working on it."

"Was this your plan?"

"No, but it'll have to do. Are you ready?"

"Y...yes, if that's... Now?"

"We can't allow him to be taken to the hospital. It has to be now!"

"Then do it. The medics will be here any minute!"

"Call Adam!"

Miller turned away and yelled for Jack's aide.

TBC

Thanks as ever to my loyal reviewers. I hope you enjoyed this angsty chapter…hey, but you should know me by now...this is never over until the last chapter, and there's a few more to come yet!

Thanks debcole, Froggy and Diane for keeping my spirits up with your kind words. Hugs, you guys!