Daniel sat silently watching Sam as she slept. It had been several hours since she fell asleep and little Jacob had been taken to the nursery. It took all this will power not to bolt for the door. Make a run for freedom. Make a run for his new life. But he couldn't bring himself to leave. Not after seeing the life that he help to create.
In the short time that Daniel had held little Jacob he felt the bond that had been formed. The bond between father and son. A bond that linked them all together as a family.
Sighing he stood, stretching his aching limbs and headed for the door. Glancing back only once to make sure Sam was still asleep, he slipped out. He needed time to clear his head. So he'd have to settle for wondering the all white hospital hallways. So Daniel wondered, aimlessly, for what seemed like forever until his journey ended at the hospital cafeteria which was open. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. His nose was assaulted with the smell of coffee, which he really needed right now in order to stay awake. Grabbing a paper cup he filled it full of the hot liquid and quickly paid the cashier. Then he took a seat in the back of the room, leaning against the wall, nursing the cup of coffee.
What he didn't know was that Sam had awoke shortly after he left and was frantic. She couldn't believe that he'd leave. Her mind was going through all the possible reasons that he wasn't still there and all of the thoughts lead to him leaving her once more. Leaving her and their son. Sobs escaped from her lips as she clutched her pillow tightly. All the pain of his leaving the first time was bubbling to the surface. How could he do it again? How after seeing their son?
That is the way Jack, Janet, Cassie and Teal'c found her. They had yet to leave the hospital. Jack was fit to kill after seeing his former second in command crying her eyes out and Daniel nowhere to be seen. "Coward." He hissed out as Janet gathered Sam into a hug, holding the sobbing women.
Teal'c only watched the scene but refused to believe that DanielJackson would once again leave. So he slipped from the room and began search of the hospital. There had to be a logical reason to why his friend wasn't in the room. Soon he found himself at the cafeteria doors, tilting his head to the side he pushed the door open, stepped in and looked around. His eyes landed on the sole figure sitting at once of the booths towards the back. He silently made his way that figure and slide into the booth. It was indeed Daniel Jackson and he appeared to be asleep, using one arm as a pillow and the other was still holding onto the half empty cup of coffee. He sat there silently for several minutes listening to the younger mans steady breathing before speaking. "DanielJackson?" He kept his voice low so not to attract attention to them from the graveyard shift of workers on hand.
Daniel's eyes popped open and he quickly sat up, knocking the cup over. Quickly he grabbed a handful of napkins from the dispenser in the center of the table and mopped up the mess. He then noticed who called his name, sighing he spoke. "Hello Teal'c." He once again leaned back against the wall and rubbed his eyes. He had only been a sleep for half an hour before being interrupted and his body was screaming for rest.
"Are you not well DanielJackson?" Teal'c voiced concern for the other man.
"I'm tired, Teal'c. In the past two..." He looked down at his watch. "...three days I've gotten a total of maybe an hours worth of sleep." He yawned and rubbed his eyes again. "I thought a walk would help, then I found this place and must of drifted off." He was rambling. "What are you doing here?" It was slightly odd for Teal'c to be without Jack while outside the SGC.
"I came in hopes of proving the others wrong, DanielJackson. They believed that you had left. I was sure that was not the case. I've known you for many years and I am sure that you wouldn't leave again after realizing your mistake the first time. Now I see that I am correct." Teal'c raised an eyebrow.
Daniel shook his head. "I will never get their trust back, Teal'c. But on the other hand, do I really want it back? They will not hear me out. Sam did, at her house but her going into labor quickly ended our conversation. Jack won't let me explain. I'm sure Janet is sticking by Jack for this and Cassie...Cassie understands. She's the only one." He runs a hand through his hair and over his tired face.
"Then explain it to me, DanielJackson. Then I maybe of some assistance to you in making the others understand." Teal'c knew that he needed to talk and for now he would be the one to listen.
Appearing to think about it, Daniel nodded. "Alright. Where to start?" He bit his lower lip then began. " I was happy on Kemet. I was treated with respect even if it was by other slaves lower than me. My views on the universe changed. No longer did I have to worry about saving the world or who I would lose next. I became apprentice to Hatcey, First Prime of Ma'at. He taught me many things. Healing, fighting, weaponry. Everything that I desired to learn he taught. Then after a few months he asked that I take his place as First Prime once he grew to old and entered the after life. Ma'at never believed in more than one host for her Jaffa. Once the body died so did the Goa'uld inside. That's how it was done. So I agreed. I accepted the young Goa'uld, Kem'tar for implantation. Later when he blended with me I found out that he was the only offspring of Ma'at and would of helped Earth in exchange for the blending. I agreed and then he was ripped from me. Removed without my permission. He died because of the mistrust for all Goa'uld. I felt betrayed, so I left. I blocked everything from my past and began working on my future. A future where I wouldn't have to think about everything that I had been through." He was telling Teal'c the trust because if anyone would understand, it would be Teal'c. "I also left because I felt that I wasn't good enough for Sam. She deserved better than someone who would of rather lived out his years worshiping a false God than return home and face reality."
Teal'c listened as Daniel told his story. "This Ma'at that you speak of, was different from the others?" He watched as Daniel nodded. "You left out of honor to MajorCarter? You felt yourself weak and therefore wished someone stronger to care for her? To care for your family?" Again he watched as Daniel nodded. "I understand DanielJackson. And I do believe that you would of made a fine Jaffa. A strong one. You would of brought great honor to your family if you of my world. But you are not and you are judged accordingly. O'Neill posses great strength and courage but you posses great knowledge and equal courage. Stand up to them, DanielJackson and let them know that you won't back down." He placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder and bowed his head slightly before siding out of the booth and standing. "The decision is yours but I am sure you will make the right one." With that he left Daniel to think about what he should do.
Authors Note
Sorry if Teal'c seems out of character on this. But I thought out of them all, he'd understand Daniel's reasons.