Title: Road of Wisdom
Summary: Sam Carter has always tried to protect her younger brother Daniel from her work at the SGC, but when he's exposed to the jars of Osiris and Isis she has no choice but to involve him with the Stargate, or risk losing him.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Mainly Jack/Daniel, even if it's fairly mild. Sub pairings of Jack/Sam, Pete/Sam and Daniel/Sarah do show up randomly.
Author's Notes: My first Stargate SG-1 fic. I work fairly hard to get the details of the Stargate world correct but the small things slip by, and for that I ask forgiveness. Also, this story begins in Stargate's fourth season, in the episode The Curse, however I reserve the right to change anything to suit my plot.
Author's warnings: Not beta'd
Disclaimer: I'd sell my soul for those rights.
Chapter Seven: Jackson and Carter
Jack peered over Daniel's shoulder, watching the doctor's flowing script. "Daniel Walt Jackson-Carter," Jack read aloud. "Hyphenated?"
Daniel's hand paused. "Yes, Jackson-Carter."
"Why the hyphen? Carter doesn't have a hyphen."
Daniel brought his eyes from Jack's confused expression, back to the forms in front of him. With only a slight pause he continued in his task of signing the appropriate papers.
He said to Jack, "Sam doesn't have a hyphen because she isn't adopted." He reviewed the stack of papers in front of him; the forms that essentially took his personal freedoms away. However, at the moment he considered his personal freedoms far less important than finding out more about the Stargate. To Jack he continued, "Jackson-Carter is my legal and binding title. It was my adoptive parent's way of allowing me to retain at least a part of my life before the adoption. I simply find it easier to go by Daniel Carter."
"Adopted, hmm?" Jack peered closer at Daniel.
The Archeologist nearly growled, "Yes, adopted." His tone said the conversation was finished, and as much as Jack enjoyed pushing Daniel's buttons, he was willing to drop the subject.
He accepted the forms from Daniel and tucked them under his arm. He gestured for the younger man to follow him towards the elevator. Once inside Jack pressed the button for the level Sam's office was located on.
To pass the time, Jack asked, "Any questions about the SGC?"
"Too many," Daniel admitted. "What I've seen so far could keep my busy for years. I'd love to get a closer look at the Stargate, if at all possible. The symbols on the gate and their correlation to each other are fascinating. I'd also like to know how you managed to successfully interface that gate with a computer, and dial properly." He caught himself then, realizing how fast he had been talking.
Jack leaned back against the side of the elevator, truly enamored by the man in front of him.
"You know, I've been told the gate was found in Egypt."
Daniel's eyes lit up, and Jack swore he saw fireworks.
"Where in Egypt? How long ago? How was it found? How did the Stargate get there? Did the Egyptian authorities just hand it over to the American government? How'd you move something that big into the Mountain?"
Jack rubbed the back of his head at the verbal assault. "You know, I'm not Mr. Information around here. You oughta ask one of the geeks."
Daniel's smile faded and the door to the elevator opened. "Geeks?" He questioned.
"The, the," Jack waved his hands. "The scientists."
Daniel stepped out of the elevator. "I think I can find Sam's lab just fine on my own, Colonel O'Neill." He bestowed the older man with a disapproving look for his use of the degrading term, and watched the doors to the elevator close with Jack still inside. He sighed at the encounter and sought out the nearest airman.
Daniel learned quickly about the Stargate from Sam, who was pleased to have such a tentative student.
She explained, "Because the 'gate is so out of our league, technology wise, it took four years to figure it out, and create a working system. By the time I joined the program, scientists had already been working on the 'gate for two years. Doctor McKay and I came onto the project as sort of a last effort, and it took us an additional two years and the complete devotion of our time to open the gate and lock in a complete address."
Daniel, who at the time was looking over his sister's notes, said, "Doctor McKay? Doctor Rodney McKay? The McKay you dated?"
Sam nodded slowly.
"You said you'd met him through your job, but I had no idea." And Daniel pressed, "We are talking about the same McKay, right? The hypochondriac?"
Sam leaned back in her chair. "Don't try telling him that he's a hypochondriac."
In the hallway, just outside Sam's office, Lou passed by with an armful of files. He took a moment to observe the siblings and then carried on towards General Hammond's office.
Meanwhile Sam continued in her defense, "Spend two years in a little room with anyone and after a while they become at least attractive. Plus, it was nice to be able to talk about Wormhole theory or String theory without my date's brain melting.
Daniel shrugged. "I understand that part. However I enjoy my dates being able to exercise self control."
Sam swung get chair around and settled in front of her computer. She called over her shoulder, "And how long since your last date?
The younger man allowed his sister the small victory and reached for a file near him. "I'm cleared to read all of this, right?" He paused with the folder slightly open. "Abydos? His eyes took to the paper after her affirming nod.
"That was Colonel O'Neill's fist mission through the 'gate, and our first interaction with the Goa'uld."
Daniel read quickly, learning the mission had been dismissed nearly a dozen times before O'Neill, his team and an Egyptologist, Sandy Bankerman, had gone through. "You didn't want to go? Daniel asked Sam. He leafed through the pictures of Abydos. "You or McKay?
"I was given the opportunity to go. Actually, there was pressure for me to go in case anything went wrong on the other side or the 'gate malfunctioned," Sam said. "The first trip was a once in a lifetime trip, or so we thought," She responded with a hint of depression. "But in the end I had to decline. I decided there wasn't a good enough chance for me to come back and I had to put my family first. We knew the Stargate was going to take us across galaxies. And honestly there wasn't any guarantee anyone from the expedition would be coming back. We were pretty sure how to get back, but with the 'gate nothing is for certain. I finally decided it was just too big of a risk. I really couldn't risk never seeing you or Dad, or Mark again." A smile broke on her face. "And Rodney wouldn't go within fifty feet of it once we established a wormhole. I think he was afraid he'd get sucked through."
Daniel gave Sam's shoulder brief squeeze to portray his thanks.
"I suppose Colonel O'Neill didn't share your priority for family." His words came out harsher than he intended, as he was still upset from his earlier conversation with the man.
"Oh, Daniel," Sam chided. "Don't judge the Colonel too harshly. At the time he agreed to the lead the mission to Abydos, he had just lost someone very dear to him. He was consumed with grief. I suppose Abydos was supposed to be his way to end things for good.
"What do you mean?" Daniel's eyebrows rose in question.
"Colonel O'Neill brought a bomb with him, Danny. He wasn't planning to come back with the rest of the team. His mission was to destroy the Abydos gate, and he had to stay until he was sure."
Daniel paled at the thought, trying to imagine how Jack O'Neill, who was quite possibly the poster boy for quick-witted humor, could have ever been suicidal.
"But he came back. Why?"
Sam shrugged. "Maybe the Goa'uld gave him a new purpose in life. Maybe he saw something on Abydos that made him reconsider, or met someone. The Colonel doesn't speak of his time on Abydos."
"It sounds like the team that went had a rough time." Daniel read about the slaves, and Ra. "It sounds like a hell. It's a miracle Colonel O'Neill came back at all."
"The Colonel, Lou and Charlie Kawalski were the only ones who came back. Almost directly afterwards the experience was too much for Major Kawalski and he transferred off active duty and took a desk job to avoid going back through the 'gate."
"What about the Egyptologist? Sandy Bankerman? It doesn't specifically say what happened to her."
Sam pushed away from her computer. "I'm not exactly sure. I suppose she was killed in a final attack against Ra. She's still currently MIA." Sam reached for Daniel's hand. "I want you to understand something, Daniel. Opening the Stargate is one of the most hurtful and beneficial things we've ever done. Yes, we exposed ourselves to the Goa'uld, who were content to leave us alone for the time being until we made ourselves their nuisance, but we've also gained countless allies and valuable technology. Nevertheless, people go through the gate and don't come back, more often then you'd think. It's a dangerous place out there, especially when we're going blind."
Daniel closed the report. "But Sam, you get to see other worlds. This program is amazing. I can't even begin to think of the thousands of cultures and languages a single person could be exposed to during their time at the SGC. It must be so incredible to set foot on a planet galaxies away."
"Yes, it is Daniel." Sam agreed completely, knowing she'd never trade in her own experiences for anything. "But I just want it clear that the gate is just as horrible as it is wonderful. I've lost countless friends to Goa'uld attacks, ambushes or simply disgruntled people who don't enjoy us on their planet. We sign away the rights to our lives when we step through that gate. We have to be prepared to die at anytime, which is something we all have to learn to deal with."
She squeezed Daniel's hand. "I think about you every time I go through that gate. I wonder if I'm coming back each and every time. I ask myself, will I come back and get to tease you? Will we get to lie around and watch movies on the rare occasion we have a coinciding day off? Will we keep each other company when Dad and Mark have another fight? I have to recognize that I could go missing at any time and never get to see you or anyone else ever again."
Daniel squeezed back. "Hey, Sam. I get it." His eyebrows furrowed together. "Why the talk? The chances of me actually going through the 'gate are one in a million, right? I get the impression civilians don't get to waltz right through."
She eyed him cautiously before releasing his hand. She stood and crossed her arms, her back turned to him.
"But you'd go, wouldn't you? You'd go given the opportunity."
She didn't have to turn in order to know there was a brilliant smile on his face.
"Too bad I can't get Kawalski," Lou remarked, opening yet another personnel folder. He sighed heavily, glancing up at Jack. "I get it now, sir. I never thought it would be this hard."
"Despite that," Hammond said.
"Yes, sir, I understand. It's just—" He trailed off, looking to Jack for help.
"You want people you trust, especially if you're depending on them."
Lou nodded. "I didn't think putting together a team would be easy, but I really didn't think I'd feel like I suddenly can't trust anyone."
"What about Major Henderson for your 2IC?" Jack slid the file over to Lou. "We've worked with her before on P4R-998."
He looked over Kathy Henderson's file. He did recall the outstanding job she had done under fire. Her own CO had been knocked unconscious at the time and she had taken command of the SG team flawlessly. Until SG-1 had arrived the then young Captain had kept her team together and created a stalemate against the Jaffa group that should have overwhelmed them. Her file had other commanding officers crediting her skills, abilities and overall performance.
"She's currently serving on SG-12. Taken" He closed the Folder
General Hammond said, "She's looking for a field team." Quickly reopening the file Lou scanned a page farther back, indicating she had transferred to the archeological SG-12 after a long run with SG-8 in heavy combat. Apparently, Lou assumed, once you were in battle, you tended to gravitate back towards it.
"What is she doing on SG-12?"
"Colonel Ragford was her previous CO," Jack answered for the General.
Hammond nodded. "She asked for a less stressful assignment after his death."
"And she's fit for high stress duty?" The last thing Lou needed was his 2IC freaking out on him in the heat of battle.
"She passed her psych evaluation with flying colors," Hammond said. "She's all yours if you want her."
Lou closed her folder for a final time. "One down. Two more to go." He looked over at Jack. "Any more suggestions?"
Jack held up his hands. "I've got my own problems." He ground his teeth down. "Sir," He said towards General Hammond. "Somehow I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick. Ferretti here gets his own team, and I get an archeologist taking the place of a military man."
"Jack," Hammond tried, his voice smothering Jack with patience. "SG-1 is the SGC's flagship or sorts. Your diplomatic relations are tentative at this moment. You need a diplomat, and one with extensive knowledge in the fields of archeology, Egyptology and linguistics is invaluable."
Jack crossed his arms, slumping down in his seat with immaturity. "Carter is doing just fine in public relations. And need I remind you the last archeologist's stay on SG-1?"
Lou hid a smile behind his hand. "General Hammond, sir, Kendal Woods is still seeing the base psychologist, and she spent a mere two weeks with SG-1."
"I am well aware of Ms. Woods," Hammond snapped. "As am I of Robert Hendricks who left the program completely, and Leon Bloom who refuses to leave his office most of the day. Not to mention Judy Tene is still claiming we're all Goa'uld hosts. However, Major Carter has assured me Doctor Carter is a very capable young man. He has an extensive resume, in which he's been all over the world and in unsafe zones. Doctor Carter speaks dozens and dozens of languages, and with a bit of training, he'll make a fine asset to SG-1. Jack, don't make this an order."
Jack continued to sulk.
"Sir, he isn't that bad," Lou tried. "I've been around the kid a few times over the years, and he's competent. You just have to put a little effort into him, sir."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Put a little effort in him?"
Lou buried his nose in a new file.
"How do I even know Carter Jr. wants to take up with the Stargate program?"
"I passed by Major Carter's office on my way here," Lou told the two men. "She and the Doc were having the talk."
Jack heaved himself up out of his chair. "General, if you want me to give the kid a spot on my team, he's got it. However, and I say this with the greatest amount of respect possible, If he can't pull his weight or endangers any other member of the team, he's off, no matter what."
He left General Hammond's office in pursuit of a way to vent his thoughts. He found himself in front of Teal'c's room, where the Jaffa was probably meditating. Even so, Jack brought his knuckles up to the metal door and knocked twice.
The tall Alien answered the door with his usual expression and asked, "May I be of some service to you, O'Neill?"
Jack shrugged. "You busy, buddy?"
"Not at all." Teal'c stepped aside to allow the Colonel into his room. "How are things progressing with Major Ferretti?"
Jack pulled a chair from Teal'c's desk and settled on it. "He can't seem to decide on a team," He grumbled.
"Are you not pleased to see Major Ferretti in a position of authority? I believe him to be most capable of leading his own team."
"I know," Jack said with grouse. "Lou's beyond capable. He should have gotten his own team years ago. And with his promotion coming through, it's time."
Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Are you concerned about the addition to SG-1?"
"No." Jack scowled. "Yes."
"How so?"
The Colonel rubbed a hand over his face, regarding his friend with unsure eyes. "I'm not going to sit here and dispute Carter's younger brother's skills. He's obviously an asset to the SGC, but I don't think I need another Carter on the team." He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Since we're losing Ferretti, the last thing we need is someone joining the team and disrupting our chemistry, and a civilian at that. What am I supposed to do if we're bogged down by Jaffa soldiers and the guy freaks? I don't want to take the chance of having to hold his hand."
Teal'c considered Jack's words from his own seat on the edge of his bed. "Have you any reason to distrust Doctor Carter?"
"No, but I don't have a reason to trust him either. He's a wildcard, Teal'c, and I don't like wildcards."
"I believe patience will be our greatest ally. If Major Carter believes her brother will be a positive addition to SG-1, we should venture to trust her."
Jack rose and wandered to the door. "I told Hammond the kid gets a shot at SG-1, but his last name isn't going to buy him anything more than that."
"I believe you are underestimating him, O'Neill."
"I hope so, Teal'c."
Jack went off in search of the Carter siblings.