Ten months after Sansara, SG1 was assigned a routine mission: check out some ruins on an uninhabited world for any signs of technology they could use. Just a couple of uneventful days off world. Sam and Daniel would be in science-geek heaven and Jack would be bored out of his skull.

As they waited in the gate room for Hammond's final "You have a go," Jack noticed that Daniel was acting edgy. Usually unemotional before a mission, Daniel was shifting his weight from leg to leg impatiently, and his eyes sweeping over the room as if he were anticipating a super-soldier incursion. If he were four years old, I'd think he was doing the "potty dance. Jack knew whatever plan Daniel's been hiding for months was coming, and decided that he would to keep a close eye on him this mission.

When the event horizon settled back into the shimmering pool they were all so accustomed to, Daniel finally relaxed, uncertainty replaced by determination. Stepping through the gate and onto a new world, Jack hoped the old Daniel, inquisitive and focused, had finally returned.

It was a quick thirty-minute hike to the camp site near the ruins. Sam and Daniel got to work promptly exploring the ruins while Jack and Teal'c surveyed the perimeter, protecting their scientists from unknown dangers.

That night, Jack assigned the first watch to Sam, second to Teal'c, he'd take the third, and Daniel the fourth. He usually gave Daniel the last watch since he was the earliest riser of the four. All those years on archeological dig sites had engrained the habit deeply.

Daniel was already awake when Jack leaned over to shake him for his watch. He holstered his Beretta and grabbed a zat gun, normal procedure when he was on watch. Jack climbed into his sleeping bag while Daniel headed over to the campfire to get a cup of coffee. Jack always made a fresh pot just before getting Daniel up for his watch.

Daniel waited and paced in the predawn darkness. He watched his friends sleeping quietly and regretted that this was probably the last time he'd ever see them like this. His thoughts turned back to the years of friendship he had shared with these three people.

Teal'c, who chose his wife to be host to Amonet. Who fired the blast that had shattered his last hope of a normal life. Who stood by him, counseled him, and supported him. Who taught him so much about love and forgiveness.

Sam. His sister in spirit. She challenged his intellect, forced him to grow beyond his narrow academic world. She'd given him love and acceptance when he hadn't felt worthy of either. She taught him what unconditional friendship was.

Jack. Oh god, Jack. A man who'd become his best friend – and his worst enemy. Jack had forced him to question his values, to confront his fears. Jack had become his older brother, protecting and watching over him when he was a "green recruit" and newly thrust into a world of weapons and aliens. Who had teased and tormented him, but wouldn't allow anyone else to. Jack became the father he'd lost too soon. He'd protected, pushed, and challenged him to grow; to accept responsibility for himself. Jack had argued, yelled, teased, and loved him no matter how much Daniel had resisted. I'll miss him most of all.

After tonight, Daniel knew he'd be off the team. Knew he'd be damn lucky to keep a job at SGC in any way. His life was going to be emptier for that loss, but he knew he was doing the right thing.

Daniel finished the rest of his coffee and rinsed out the cup. He stood, taking one long, last look at his friends, the only family he'd ever known, and, with his heart breaking, he left camp.

Jack had been waiting, feigning sleep. He'd known something was up with the linguist. He woke Teal'c and told him to keep watch until he got back. Following Daniel, his mind raced, running through all the possible reasons Daniel would take off like this. He stayed far enough behind so that Daniel was unaware Jack was following. Within a few minutes, he was certain that Daniel was headed back for the gate. He waited behind a tree while Daniel dialed and left. Jack trotted over to the DHD and was able to catch the address. It was an uninhabited world they had visited the week before. Jack knew Daniel well enough to know that he'd probably gate to several worlds before he reached his final goal.

Jack sprinted back to camp to find that Carter was up. "We've got a problem."

"Daniel, sir?" Sam sat on a log, hugging her hot mug of coffee to her body with both hands in the chilly morning mist.

"Yeah. He's gone." Jack poured himself a cup of hot coffee. "God, what was he thinking? Hammond will never let him off world after this!"

"Did you see the DHD in time?"

"Yeah, but that's not his final destination. I really think he's gone back to confront Chandani. He's been a mess ever since she…well, you know."

"Do you think he'd hurt her?" Sam's concern was reflected in her face.

"Normally, no. But he hasn't been acting normally for almost a year. I have no idea what he'll do."

"I remember the look of satisfaction on his face when he shot the infant goa'ulds on Chulak years ago. That's a side of Daniel that scares me." Sam's face paled with the memory of violence of which her friend was capable if he felt justified.

"Colonel O'Neill, I believe it prudent if we follow DanielJackson and endeavor to prevent any unwise actions on his part." Teal'c's expression revealed no emotion, but Jack noticed his jaw twitched, revealing his anxiety over his friend.

"Sir, don't you think it would be a good idea to go back and report to the general?" Sam questioned.

"Yes, it would, but we're not." Jack was concerned Hammond might order them back to SGC before he could get to Daniel. "We leave in fifteen."

"Sir?"

"We're going after him."