Author's notes: italics indicate dream state or person on otherside of phone conversation; mild language
George had told Jake everything he knew about the man and his family. He answered any and all questions Jake had asked about Allison and his career in the Air Force. However, George did not tell Jake about being diagnosed with a terminal cancer, about blending with Selmak to save his life and joining the Tok'ra, and he sure as hell didn't mention to Jake that he actually died.
For one thing, Jake had no idea that he actually did die. He had told George that he firmly believed the Government merely planted that information in his file and even fed the same lie to his family in order to perform experiments on him! And being attacked in three different states did nothing to dissuade Jake from that idea neither. Plus, he never asked George any questions about Selmak, the Tok'ra or the SGC. For the time being, George decided it was best to not reveal too much to Jake mainly because of his emotional state. He felt to do so would push Jake over the edge.
As it was Jake was already dangerously teetering on the brink of that edge. During the drive George had noticed that Jake wasn't getting any better. His friend was obviously running a fever from the sweating and shaking he was doing. He was drinking water like a fish and popping pain pills in his mouth every other hour. The fever basically amplified Jake's paranoia. Add this to Jake's already extremely frustrated state, because nothing George said had helped to completely unlock his memories, was like adding gasoline to a fire!
First indications that George was sitting next to a ticking time bomb was when he politely suggested to Jake that they should stop at a pharmacy and get a stronger pain reliever because the Tylenol in the First Aid kit wasn't helping Jake's fever. George made the mistake thinking that Jake would have just bitched and moaned about it before reluctantly agreeing. It took George twenty minutes to calm his friend down and to get the gun out of it face.
The situation was not good! Jake in a controlled rage was bad enough! George didn't want to even contemplate or be witness to Jake totally out of control! So George did everything he could to keep Jake calm. If Jake wanted to drive, George let him. Whatever Jake felt like eating, George didn't complain even if the food gave him heartburn. When Jake wanted to rest, George would either pull over and keep driving depending on what Jake wanted and George never made an attempt to pull the gun out of Jake's hand even when he was sleeping.
Only after the second day on the road, Jake stopped eating. Nothing was staying down and George noticed his friend was rather ghostly pale and his eyes were sunken in. Jake even stopped drinking coffee and stuck with the water. All this wasn't good and George knew he had to do something before Jake got any worse.
"Jake, can we pull over?" he asked in his most gentlemanly tone. "I'm not as young as I used to be. I need a couple of hours rest."
"Sure," Jake sighed. "I'm a little tired myself. But just pull into a rest area. We can sleep in the car."
"Ok," George smiled kindly. "Do you want to get something to eat or drink before we stop? Maybe some coffee for when we wake up?"
"Yeah, we need more water too…maybe we can get some crackers or something that won't upset my stomach."
George turned to see his extremely exhausted friend had a weak smile on his face. Jake's smile slowly faded and he looked George squarely in the eyes.
"George, I want to apologize. I haven't treated you like the friend I feel that you truly are. For that, I am sorry."
"Everything is going to work out, I promise you," George said with deep earnest.
Jake nodded his head in appreciation.
For twenty minutes, while George got their food, drinks and found the rest area, he watched as the last of Jake's strength ebbed away. The guy was asleep before George even parked the car. It was the opportunity George had not wished for because he never wanted any harm to come to Jake. However, it was an opportunity George couldn't ignore.
Risking life and limb, George slowly opened Jake's jacket then gently lifted up his shirt to get a look at the bullet wound. He probably should have removed the gun from Jake's hand. But George feared that would have instantly woken his friend up. Besides, it wasn't the gun that George was worried about, it was how badly the wound might be infected.
To his relief, the bullet appeared to have passed straight through Jake's side judging from the two Gauze pads neatly taped, one in just below the last rib-bone and one on Jake's backside. Good, it was so far to the side that no vital organs were damaged. The skin in the surrounding areas was red and purple and swollen very badly. It was even hot to the touch. Glancing up, George saw that Jake was in a deep REM sleep so he proceeded.
After slowly removing the Gauze he saw the bullet hole did have an infection. Thick yellow puss oozed a little. George cursed to himself quietly for not taking the initiative. He should have knocked Jake out when he had the chance.
Jake suddenly starting moaning, startling George so much that he damn near jumped through the roof of the car! He held his breath waiting for Jake to open his eyes. Thirty seconds later, they were still closed. Another thirty seconds later…still closed. George knew he couldn't hold his breath much longer so he quickly replaced the gauze and pulled Jake's shirt back down.
Again Jake started moaning and mumbling unintelligible words as George closed up Jake's jacket. George sighed heavily. He didn't need a hand on Jake's forehead to know the fever was high. Jake needed antibiotics and soon.
Wasting no more time, George pulled a box of sleeping pills from his back pocket. Jake had trusted George enough to let him go into the Mini-mart alone. He had purchased the water, coffee, crackers, a couple of sandwiches, and the box of sleeping pills. George probably didn't need the sleep pills but he couldn't risk Jake waking up while George was on the payphone near the car. Jake wasn't in the right frame of mind and George didn't want to risk getting shot. So with his fingers he crushed a few pills into a small bottle of water and shook it up. Then he grabbed a couple of Tylenol.
"Jake…Jake…wake up and take some more Tylenol," George said, gently grabbing Jake by the back of his neck.
The man's head was on a swivel. George did his best to keep his friend's head still and was about to force the pills into Jake's mouth when he suddenly opened his eyes.
"Jake, can you hear me?"
Jake blinked a couple of times before he stared directly at George. He could tell right away that his friend wasn't all there.
"Help me…I lost her…she's all alone," Jake stammered frantically, dropping the gun and grabbing hold of George's forearm.
"Who did you lose, Jake?" George asked out of curiosity.
"Selmak…she's vulnerable…I have to protect her!"
"She's safe…she's with your daughter," George answered, even though he wasn't sure if Jake was aware that Selmak had returned as a child or not.
"My daughter?" Jake questioned then his eyes filled with tears. "I'm never going to see my daughter, George! Allison's going to be so mad at me!"
"Allison loves you, Jake, no matter how much of a pain in the ass you are," George firmly replied. "And you will see your daughter real soon."
"Selmak?"
George was still unclear about what conversation he was having with Jake but he replied honestly.
"Yes, Jake you'll see her real soon."
Jake's eyes closed again as a violent tremor shook his body. George knew that the delirium had taken hold of Jake so he forced the pills in Jake's mouth and poured as much water as he could get down Jake's throat without drowning the man. To be on the safe side, George waited twenty minutes. Once he was confident that Jake was out for good and didn't drown, George made his friend as comfortable as possible before heading to the payphone.
It had been a long day and it wasn't even lunchtime yet! While waiting for 'Uncle' George to show up with 'Dad', life at the SGC had to continue. Jack had been busy with debriefings and filling out reports all morning. He was about to head into the briefing room for a meeting when Walter Davis came charging into his office.
"Sir! General Hammond's on line one!" he announced excitedly and Jack damn near twisted his knee hurrying to the phone.
"Please! Tell me…tell me you didn't lose him! Mark will kill me if we lost Jacob again…Sir!"
"No, I didn't lose Jake. However, he needs medical attention immediately."
"Not a problem, what's your location, Sir?"
"I'd rather not say over the phone, this line isn't secure. I don't want to risk Jake's life after the run in with the Trust back at my house."
"Right, stay on the phone. We can trace the call and get your exact GPS location," Jack replied signaling to Walter. "Sir, how is Jacob. We're all concerned for him. We know his blood was on the floor in your bedroom. Plus, his family is still here. I would like to be able to tell them some good news for once. And Selmak…well, Sir, to be honest the kid could really use some good news right now."
"The bullet passed right through him however there's an infection. When the opportunity presented itself, I dosed him with some sleeping pills. With some antibiotics I'm sure he'll be as good as new."
"Don't you mean better than new, Sir? Mark tells us Jacob's about twenty-five years old!"
"I was even a little surprised about that one myself," Hammond chuckled as Walter came back into Jack's office and gave him a signal with his fingers and set a piece of paper on Jack's.
"Alright, Sir. The nearest SF Units are thirty minutes away from you, Sir."
"Send a medic with the Unit. I'm worried that Jake's fever has gotten too high," Hammond replied.
"Understood, Sir," Jack said then hung up the phone. "Walt, I…"
"I already called General McAllister in Lincoln Nebraska, Sir. He's on a secured line, holding on line two," Walt quickly informed Jack.
"Good," Jack smiled, he loved it when he didn't have to think too much to do his job. That's what Walter Davis was for! The SGC probably would have fallen to pieces if Jack was left to his own devices. "I want Peterson locked down and a runway secured for when General Hammond lands with General Carter. Have SG teams 3 and 8 on the surface and ready to go in ten minutes. Also, get Brightman and her team too; we're going to need her. I'm going to tell the Carters the good news before heading out!"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Oh…"
"I already cancelled the debriefing with SG 9, Sir," Walter shouted as he was already well down the hallway outside of Jack's office. "And I will reschedule all meetings for the rest of the day tomorrow, Sir!"
"Thanks Walt!" Jack shouted, picking up his phone. "Duke, Jack O'Neill…"
"Jack! You SOB! How the hell did you end up becoming a General?" McAllister chuckled.
"Still trying to figure it out myself," Jack answered without skipping a beat. "Listen, as much as I'd love to chat about who has more gray hairs, I really need a favor from you."
"You know all you have to do is ask me, Jack."
"Thanks, Duke. Two of my people are in your area and need an immediate evac! I want your two best units and a medic to pick them up then bring them directly to Peterson."
"That should be no problem. May I asked who are they?"
"Sorry, their identities are classified for this op. In fact, I would ask that you hold off on filing a report until I get my men back and after I check in with the Joint Chiefs."
"Jack…"
"Duke, we've been friends a long time, if I could give you the details I would!"
"Top-secret mumbo jumbo?"
"Something like that," Jack sighed.
"Very well Jack, I trust you. I won't ask, but you still owe me a six pack!"
"I'll send a case back with your guys."
"My two best teams and my best medic will be ready to lift on in five minutes. What are the coordinates?"
After giving McAllister the GPS coordinates off the piece of paper Walt set on his desk, Jack's first stop was going to be Selmak, not because her quarters was before Mark's and his family but because she was in desperate need of such wonderful news. She had a seizure shortly after he had informed her what happened in DC. He and Sam were afraid it was going to be the one to wipe her memories clean. They were so relieved when she woke up cranky at the sight of Brightman with a syringe in her hand.
However, Selmak had become more withdrawn than before. There was nothing he, Sam, or a bowl of cherry Jell-O could do to cheer her up. At first Jack thought it was because of the seizure and the fact that they still had no idea where Jacob was. However, during the course of the past two days Jack noticed that Selmak's attention span dropped drastically. Her mind seemed distracted like a child's mind. She became forgetful. He and Sam had to keep reminding Selmak of her situation now. She even thought Jack was kidding when he reminded her that she was losing her memories. Then once she was reminded she started to remember things and would get depressed because she had forgotten things that she believed she should never have forgotten.
Another thing Jack noticed was that her vocabulary range dropped and she wasn't speaking as coherently as before. She was starting to even sound like a child. However, she continued to use those curse words that Sam wished Selmak would quit using. Of course, Jack wasn't helping any because he would laugh whenever Selmak used one. That was yet another thing, she started laughing at his childish jokes. Selmak never laughed at his jokes!
Jacob was about the only thing still firmly planted in her memories. She had this almost motherly affection for him, insisting that she was going to take care of him when they got back together. She refused to allow herself to forget her apology to him, although she had sometimes forgotten why she was apologizing to him. To help, Selmak would have Sam read the apology letter to make sure she wouldn't forget.
As he approached her door, the guards moved aside and allowed him access. Selmak was sitting on her bed coloring in her books. She wasn't able to stay inside the lines like before and was obsessed with only using the purple crayon for everything. Jack swore Daniel blew his bonus on buying every box of crayons he could find just so they could pull out the purple crayons and put them in one box for Selmak. He remembered when they gave it to her how excited she was. She didn't even realize what they had done and thought they bought a special box for her, even thanked them all with big hugs.
It was all just another indication that she was almost…a normal kid. The only constant thing about her was her personality. She was still as stubborn as ever! Hated the Doctors and their fucking needles! Never hesitated to say what she was thinking! Knew how to use those baby blues to get whatever she wanted! And she was still incredibly intelligent!
Once they learned that she was losing her memories, Dr. McKenzie had started testing her to measure her intelligence levels after each seizure. She wasn't as intelligent as her former wise Tok'ra self. However, the Doctor's findings indicated that she was going to have above average intelligence even when her memories went pop or pfft or blinked into oblivion or whatever they were going to do.
Jack had to laugh whenever he observed McKenzie with Selmak because she still called him a quack. Jack wasn't helping matters; the kid in him wouldn't let him. He gave her a duck whistle just to mess with McKenzie!
"Hi, Selmak…do you remember me?" he joked, sitting down beside her.
"Yes, Jack," she sighed and gave him that annoyed look.
"You get the same crease in your forehead that Jacob always got when he's annoyed with me," Jack teased touching her brow.
"Jack! Please! Don't remind me that I have Jacob's DNA flowing through my veins," she protested.
"Really, I think he's going to adore you," Jack smiled and he was telling the truth, she was an adorable little girl. "I can't wait to tell him the good news about you being his daughter!"
"I'm warning you Jack…no jokes with Jacob about me being a girl symbot!"
"That's symbiote and I can't promise anything but I will try," he smirked.
"It's your deathwish," she replied turning back to her coloring.
" I have wonderful news," he said, putting his hand on hers to stop her from coloring. "Jacob's going to be here in about two hours."
She looked up at him then immediately started crying. Jack didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms.
"Shh, just let it all out…again," he cooed, rubbing her back as she slobbered on his shoulder.
"Will I be able to see him right away?" she managed to choke out through her sniffles.
"The moment Dr. Brightman gives the ok," he smiled warmly while wiping some of her tears away.
"He's hurt?" she asked her blue eyes filled with a mixture of shock and grief.
"It's just a little booboo!" he quickly said, not wanting to upset her any more than she already was. "Tell you what, I'll call Teal'c and have him stay with you. The second I return from Peterson, I'll call you. Teal'c can bring you to see Jacob. Ok?"
Selmak nodded, wiping her tears.
"Maybe you can bring Jacob some Jell-O when he's feeling better," he smiled, laying her down on the bed.
"Does he like Jell-O? I can't remember," she sobbed.
"Everyone likes Jell-O!"
"Can we make it cherry flavor?" she anxiously asked.
"Of course! I'll place the order right now," he smiled, grabbing the phone. No one was really on the other side but she knew he was pretending by the smirk on her face. "Yes, this is General O'Neill I would like to order a gallon…One gallon or two?"
"Two!" she clapped jumping up and down on the bed.
"Make that two gallons of cherry Jell-O!" he smiled. "I don't care how long it takes! That's an order!"
"Yipppee!" she cheered happily.
Jack sighed internally, keeping his smile up for her. On the inside he felt bad for the kid. He almost couldn't wait for her to lose her memories because then her self-torture and the emotional roller coaster ride she was on would be over and done with. Then she could just be a normal kid. Not that being one of Jacob's kids can be called normal when you take into consideration how intelligent they are!
It took a couple of minutes for him to finally get Selmak settled down. She actually ended up crying herself to sleep before he left. Then after a quick phone call to Teal'c Jack hurried to the Carter's suite to tell the family the good news.
Mark Carter's kids reacted excitedly and started jumping on the bed. They couldn't wait to see Uncle Jake! Jack wondered for a brief moment if they were even thinking of the same Jake Carter Jack knew. Because the Jake that Jack knew was rather cranky unless his daughter was around and never seemed like the kind of man to invoke such excitement from a child!
However, Mark was being rather obstinate insisting that he go along with Jack. Basically, the guy was acting every bit like his father! If Sam hadn't volunteered to remain behind with her brother, Jack was afraid he would have had to throw Mark in the brig! Being cooped up in a top-secret military facility inside a mountain made Mark cranky!
He was floating on an emotional high. Yet, he was lying still on his back. A huge smile split his face as his wife snuggled against him as they lay on a blanket in the shade of a tree and watched the clouds. Her sweet fragrance mixed with the autumn leaves filled his nose.
"What's the grin for, Carter? Confess, right now Airman, or I'll have to resort to torture!" Allison said in a playful tone, looking down at him.
"I won't crack, I've been trained by the best of the best!" he countered.
Allison straddled him and immediately started tickling his sides. Jake tried not to laugh but he couldn't help it. His wife was the only one in the world who knew he was ticklish. Only she could get him to laugh so hard his sides ached.
"I surrender!" he laughed. "I'll tell you everything!"
Jake started tickling Allison back. Using his strength, he quickly gained the advantage and maneuvered himself gently on top of her. For the longest of moments, as their laughter died down, they merely stared affectionately into each other's eyes.
"I love you, Allison," he said seriously while gently caressing her lovely face with the back of his fingers. "I will always love you in this life and the next."
"I know you do Jacob," she smiled. "But you need to learn to forgive yourself. My death was an accident, it wasn't your fault."
"I should have been there to pick you up!" he said, feeling the sting of his tears in his eyes. "I failed you…I failed our children! How can I take care of Selmak if I've failed my own family?"
"Jacob, you did not fail your family. Mark and Sam grew up to be such good people. I couldn't have asked more for my children than that. You will do the same for Selmak."
"I can't do it alone…I need you!"
"You will not be alone, I promise you Jacob," she smiled, caressing his face.
"I miss you so much!" he sobbed burying his face on her neck and clinging to her tightly.
When she didn't respond, Jake lifted his head to see he was alone and lying on the sand. The sun was gone in an instant as black clouds filled the sky.
"ALLISON!" he wailed, clamoring to his feet. "DON'T LEAVE ME!"
"I will always be there when you need me," her voice sounded as a breeze brushed against him.
"ALLISON!" he screamed chasing after the breeze.
Jake called for his wife over and over as George fought to keep his friend as still as possible. Even in his weakened state, Jake was still strong as an ox. Or was it stubborn as a mule? There were times when George couldn't tell, during a fight, if Jake was really as strong as he seemed or if he was so damn stubborn that he never knew when to give up. Or maybe that stubbornness gave Jake his strength.
Back in 'Nam, George had been witness to how Jake's stubbornness gave him the strength to stay alive when he should have died. The men in their unit didn't think anyone could live after losing so much blood. The medic had even said it was hopeless and only changed his mind after George had threatened to rip off more than the guy's balls if he didn't patch up his friend. The doctors said it was a miracle when Jake survived. Only George knew better.
Or so he thought.
During that time while George had been keeping pressure on Jake's injuries he had listened to his friend go on about how his wife was going to be mad at him for dying. The guy had been so distraught that he wasn't going to ever see his baby girl who was born almost nine months to the day after he shipped out. George could still remember the desperation as Jake pleaded with George to look after his family for him. But it wasn't until George was standing there in the hospital, watching his friend sleeping after surgery that the truth actually dawned on him.
Oh yeah, Jake was one stubborn SOB, always had been and always will be. But George learned that it was the love for his family that had given Jake his strength. That love had enabled him to beat all the odds and make it home to see his baby girl. And George had been there to see a huge grin on his friend's face when he held Samantha that very first time and how he held his wife and son tight in his arms. Jake wasn't always the most affectionate man but he did have his moments and George was grateful to witness one of them.
Even now and even though Jake still didn't have all his memories back that love was still a driving force within him. Even if it was just in his dreams. From what George understood, dreams had a way of opening doors. He could only hope that they would at least unlock those doors for Jake.
Every muscle in his body hurt. His mind was foggy. His tongue felt like a giant cotton ball in his mouth. His head and limbs were so heavy he could barely lift them. Regardless, he struggled to get up.
'Be still child,' a voice spoke to him.
'Selmak, what happened to me? Why can't I remember how my body got this way?' he asked.
'Shh, child…'
A loud clattering noise interrupted their shared thoughts. Jake's body started trembling in fear as the door slid open. Anubis' Jaffa marched in and yanked him onto his feet. Selmak instantly blocked the pain from her host but Jake still felt it. He was confused as he continually felt the pain as they were dragged down a long hallway. The floor black marble, the walls of gold with ancient hieroglyphs that Jake was surprised he could easily understand.
They happened to pass by a mirror and Jake caught a glimpse of himself. Actually…herself. He recognized the girl. She was a part of him or he was a part of her. He wasn't entirely sure. But he knew everything about her. She had long wavy auburn hair and a fiery temper to match. She had deep blue eyes that men adored and that most women were jealous of. She was barely sixteen years old. Her name was Tamara. She was Selmak's second host. Her body was beaten so badly and Jake instinctively knew why he or more accurately why Tamara had no recollections of how her injuries occurred. Selmak was in control and would not allow her host to feel the sting of the pain stick, the burn from the hand device, or the humiliation of being violated.
'Let me have control child…this will all be over soon,' Selmak cooed to her host.
Tamara had released control to Selmak as they were dragged to the main chamber. Selmak had block all of Tamara's senses, even her mind so she would not see. Jake remained to be a witness from the back of Selmak's mind. He saw a man with dark narrow eyes, long wavy black hair wearing black gold trimmed elegant robes while sitting on his thrown.
"I will not reveal to you any of my secrets!" Selmak growled, using her abilities to strengthen the body she inhabited to stand up tall, unassisted.
"Silly girl! I have only just begun!" Anubis sneered.
"Not even the system lords will tolerate what you have done, Anubis!"
"Girl…"
Jake could feel Selmak's anger. He shared it intensely. It gave her strength.
"I AM SELMAK OF THE TOK'RA AND I WILL NOT BEND TO YOUR WILL!"
The pain stick came without warning. Though Selmak was weak, she did her best to block the pain from host. She always did with all her hosts. Only her pain was now his pain. And it always would be.
Daniel had given Jack a good excuse as to why he wanted to be at Peterson Airfield when Jacob arrived. After all, Daniel had ascended and descended. He was the only one with experience on the matter and could understand what Jacob was going through. So it was a logical decision for him to be there just in case Jacob was awake.
Well, it was a good reason.
Ok, so the real reason why Daniel wanted to be there, was the same reason why many people at the SGC wanted to be there. It was a chance to get first glimpse of the young Jacob Carter. While Jack had been able to keep Selmak's secret this whole time he was unable to hide the fact that Jacob Carter had descended in the form of a younger version of himself.
The rumor spread like wild fire when Colonel Reynolds and his team returned to the SGC from DC. Everyone knew Major General Jacob Carter was one stubborn hard ass! One of the few Generals who could get you to piss your pants with a single glare and not have to say one word. And many wanted to see if this younger version could actually instill that same fear. But Daniel could tell that Jacob's bark was worse than his bite just by the fact that the man had raised such a wonderful daughter.
However, Daniel wasn't prepared for how young Jacob looked when he saw him! He didn't recognize the man with jet-black hair and a thin mustache! And as Jack so eloquently put it 'Shit…he's just a kid!' They quickly got over their shock when they saw how sick the 'young' man was and how worried General Hammond was. The General had never looked that worried before or at least they've never scene him that worried before!
"His temperature has leveled at one hundred and three!" a medic informed Dr. Brightman, as they pushed the stretcher away from the choppers. "But it hasn't gone down any!"
"What are his vitals?" she asked.
"BP eighty over sixty, pulse 120, respiration 24…"
"What is it?" Jack immediately asked when Brightman frowned.
"He's septic," she answered. "Let's get an IV line in him with a saline drip."
"Doc?"
"He has an infection in his blood. I need to stabilize him before we move him any more," she insisted, making Jack nod his head.
Daniel and the others stood out of Brightman's way but remained close. Good thing, as Brightman was putting the oxygen mask on Jacob's face he suddenly started screaming and thrashing about in some kind of agony. Daniel, Jack and Hammond didn't hesitate to help hold Jacob down.
"He's been delirious the whole ride over," Hammond said sadly.
"I'll give him a sedative…"
"I already gave him sleeping pills!" Hammond quickly interrupted.
Then Jacob started struggling more violently. His eyes opened and he stared squarely at Daniel, who happened to holding or trying to hold one of Jacob's arms down. Daniel damn near jumped out of his skin at the hot anger in Jacob's eyes. His voice when he spoke was equally threatening. His neck veins extended as far as they could go as he spat out harsh words in an ancient form of Goa'uld.
"Damn! Jake's been eating his Wheaties!" Jack joked as they struggled to hold Jacob down.
Jacob merely repeated his words more forcefully at Daniel then returned to his relaxed state, closing his eyes. But Daniel understood the words. Jacob wasn't talking to him. The others only picked up on one word Jacob said. It was actually a name.
"What about Anubis?" Jack asked.
"What did he say Dr. Jackson?" Hammond asked when Daniel didn't answer right away.
"I Selmak of the Tok'ra, swear that you will die Anubis, either by my hand or another's. But you will die." Daniel translated, as Brightman's team quickly stabilized Jacob.
"We're ready, Sir," Brightman said to Jack.
"Let's get him to the SGC," Jack ordered.
Daniel assisted the others in lifting Jacob's stretcher into the back of the Hummer. Only Dr. Brightman and a nurse accompanied Jacob. Daniel noticed that Hammond was still extremely worried. Daniel shared worry now, but for different reasons.
"Daniel…you have that look," Jack said after they climbed into the Hummer behind the one Jacob occupied.
"I was right. Jacob has Selmak's memories too."
"So," Jack said. "Good for him."
"I'm not sure Jack. I think it's the reason why he hasn't regained any of his memories yet. Think about it…he has the memories of Selmak and the numerous personalities from the hosts she had blended with. Including his own."
"But he's had all that before when he blended with Selmak," Hammond pointed out.
"Yes, but he doesn't have the benefit of a symbiote anymore," Daniel explained, as they started moving. "A symbiote regulates a host's body chemistry…including their brain chemistry."
"So…the little snake kept him from going wacko?" Jack asked.
"I don't know…maybe," Daniel said. "I'm not that kind of Doctor."
"I don't think you're giving the human body enough credit Dr. Jackson," Hammond interjected. "Jake was not a person on the edge of insanity. I know him better than anyone. He was a little paranoid with due reason. The fever only amplified his paranoia. But he was never psychotic."
"So what if his head's a little scrambled. I'll just call Thor. I'm sure the little guy could do something for Jake," Jack said.
Daniel smiled. Jack had an answer for everything. He may not always be right but that never stopped him from voicing his opinion.
"You know Jack, you have your days when you show that you've earned that star," General Hammond smirked.
"Thank you, Sir," Jack said but he couldn't just leave it at that, he had to open his mouth and say something that made Daniel and General Hammond shake their heads.
"Jake's going to have a lot to deal with when he wakes up. His symbiote is now his daughter. A daughter he probably doesn't remember creating! I mean let's face it, we would have all remembered something like that. Then there's the fact that he's the youngest Major General in the Air Force! I wonder…should he get back pay for his time being ascended? Or does that classify as a leave of absence?"
Sam and Mark were there when the caravan of Hummers returned to the SGC. Jack, Daniel, and General Hammond jumped out of the third one, immediately heading for the one in front of them. The back doors opened and Sam was there to see her father lying on a stretcher.
Holy Hannah!
Her mouth dropped open. She knew Dad was young but she wasn't expecting him to be so young! She couldn't remember ever seeing him that young! Except perhaps only in pictures.
Then she saw his badly bruised ribs and the area where he was shot. He even had a few fading bruises on his face. And his scar! He still had that scar. Maybe now he'll tell her how he got it!
"Why is he in restraints?" Mark demanded to know.
"Doc couldn't sedate him like she would have wanted because 'Uncle' George here popped some slipping pills in Jake's water!" Jack answered and Sam saw an annoyed look on Hammond's face.
"It's just a precaution, so Dad doesn't hurt himself," Sam added.
Her response did not sit well with Mark. She couldn't blame him, she didn't care for the restraints either but she knew the regulations. Dad hasn't exactly been playing nice the past several days.
"Once we get Jake situated in the infirmary the restraints will be removed," General Hammond offered to calm her brother down as they all headed for the open doors of the elevator.
"Ok, all of you can't be in the elevator with my patient," Brightman announced.
"One SF, Sam and Mark," Jack ordered. "Hammond and I will catch the next ride."
Sam and Mark grabbed the foot of the stretcher while the SF and Dr. Brightman were at the head. Together they all pushed her father's stretcher into the elevator. Sam was nearest the elevator controls and pushed a button.
"I shouldn't have let him go," Mark commented quietly, gently take hold of Dad's hand.
"Mark, you can't blame yourself for what happened to Dad," Sam responded, grasping her brother's other hand. "Dad did what he would have done during any situation…he protected his family. You wouldn't have wanted your children see him get hurt, would you?"
"No," he said weakly.
Sam noticed the tears in her brother's eyes and she gave his hand a firm squeeze.
"I can't lose him again Sam," he whispered.
"We're not going to," she replied, blinking back her own tears.
The past few days Sam spent a lot of time with her brother. She hated seeing him torture himself. He told her how wrong he had been all those years ago. He even told her what General Hammond had told him about Dad being the one to pull their mother's body from the wreckage. She even felt guilty herself for the silence she gave her father when he attempted to talk to her so many times after her mother died.
And now, like her brother, Sam was hoping to make amends with her father. It would seem that they were going to have lots of time to do that. They already had his cover story. Dad was still going to have his name, only instead of their father he was going to be their younger brother. So this way, the family could still be together. Mark's kids would never know the truth. Dad was Uncle Jake to them already and no one saw any reason to change that. And soon, Selmak would never know the truth too. She would simply be Sam and Mark's niece and Dad's daughter.
Selmak was scared and clung tightly to Teal'c as he carried her through the tunnels. She should have been happy that she was going to see Jacob. This was the moment she had been waiting for. But it was also a moment she was dreading.
She was afraid Jacob was going to be mad at her. Her last memories of him were of him being angry with her. His neck veins were distended and he was shouting! Only she could piss him off that much! However for the moment, she couldn't remember why he was pissed with her, just that she had to apologize to him for something she had done. She would have to ask Sam what it was that she forgot…again.
"You are trembling," Teal'c spoke softly to her. "Are you not feeling well?"
"I'm fine," she said weakly, avoiding his eyes by staring at the floor.
"Should you not be happy that you're going to see Jacob Carter?"
"I am happy…but…will he remember me?" she asked, suddenly realizing that's why she was scared.
What if Jacob didn't recognize her? What if rejected her and didn't want anything to do with her?
"Dr. Daniel Jackson regained his memories. In time, Jacob will as well," Teal'c replied confidently. "So, in time he will remember you."
Selmak nodded to him as they arrived outside Jacob's room.
"Thanks, Teal'c," General Jack said, extending his arms. "I'll take her from here."
"Very well," Teal'c said as he allowed Jack to take hold of her. Teal'c put his big strong hand gently on her head and smiled, "He will remember you."
Selmak smiled weakly at him, blinking back her tears. Great! Now she didn't even know why she as crying!
"Ok, Selmak," Jack smiled. "When we go in, Mark and Sam are already in there with Jacob. The Doctor gave him a sedative so he's sleeping."
"Did she use a needle?" she asked, concerned that Jacob might not like needles too.
"Yes, but he didn't feel anything. He's in a deep sleep," Jack said reassuringly.
As long as Jacob didn't feel the needle that's what mattered to Selmak.
"Another thing, remember what Sam told you, about Jacob being young?" he asked.
Selmak fretted, what did Sam tell her? Suddenly, Selmak felt her stomach tie into knots. She hadn't even seen Jacob yet and she was forgetting everything!
"You might not recognize Jacob as the old man who used to be your host. He's a young man now. Even has his hair back," Jack smiled.
"He has hair?"
"Apparently, Mark already told him about Rogain, so he doesn't have to worry about losing it later!" Jack joked.
Selmak was puzzled.
"How do you lose your hair?" she asked, making Jack laugh and Teal'c smile. "It's on your head and can't go no where."
She also noticed Daniel was nearby and smiling too. She liked Daniel. He played with the dolls with her whenever he watched her. Jack wasn't good at playing with the dolls. He was better at coloring. He would color outside the lines just like she did.
"Maybe this gentleman can tell you," Jack said showing her to a man who seemed vaguely familiar yet she couldn't remember his name.
"She has no memory of me?" the man with blue eyes and no hair on his head asked.
"There isn't much left in there, Sir," Jack answered.
Selmak had an idea that Jack was talking about her but she was thinking of Jacob again and not paying much attention. In fact, she was looking at the open door, hoping that's where Jacob was sleeping.
"Selmak, this is…Uncle George! He's one of Jacob's best friends," Jack said, getting her attention again.
Selmak giggled when Uncle George made a disapproving face at Jack. Jack always said things to make people mad at him but Jack never cared. Selmak saw Sam always making that face at Jack whenever Selmak said a bad word because he always laughed. Really, why not say them if they were funny? All Selmak said, the other day when the alarms sounded, was that they 'scared her out of the shit'. Sam made Jack leave the room he was laughing so hard then tried to explain to Selmak that poop was a better choice of words. Selmak said that shit sounded better and that she was going to say it whenever she wanted.
"Uncle George…you're head's shiny! Did you lose your hair?" she asked sweetly, flashing her baby blues knowing no one could get mad at her when she used them. "Maybe Jack can help you look for it! He always finds my crayons when I lose them!"
Again, Jack was laughing or trying not to laugh. Meanwhile, Uncle George turned a shade redder and glared at Jack. However, he was all smiles when he spoke to Selmak.
"I think it's time you go see Jacob," George grinned. "I need to talk to 'Jack' about my hair!"
After that, Jack carried Selmak into the room. Mark and Sam were both sitting near Jacob's bed. Jack was wrong, she did recognized him! She recognized every feature about him. The scar on his forehead! The hair and the mustache! Even the hair on his chest!
"Da…" Selmak started to speak involuntarily but managed to quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.
Her humiliation was complete! She was about to call Jacob 'Daddy'! Selmak turned away and started crying on Jack's shoulder.
"Give her to me, Jack," Mark said, as Selmak felt his hands already grabbing hold of her.
She trembled. She was so confused. The urge to call Jacob Daddy was strong. So was her guilt because Jacob was hurt and she wasn't there to protect him. How she wished to remember how she even came to be this way.
"Shh, baby, it's ok, don't be frightened," Mark said, holding her close. "Dad's sleeping. See, that machine tells us that his heart is beating strong. And here, feel his hand…it's warm."
Selmak reached her hand out slowly. Her hand was so tiny compare to his. She couldn't hope to hold his whole hand in hers, so she grabbed on to a couple of his fingers. They were warm, as Mark had promised. Emboldened, she used both her hands to grasp Jacob's hand.
A sequence of memories rushed through her mind. First was the day she met Jacob. He was scared about the blending but he wasn't scared to admit it. There were countless images of him and her on missions. Times when the two of them always cracking jokes to each other during those boring council meetings! How scared Jacob was when he nearly lost her on Netu. The pride they felt when Sam was made a Lt. Colonel and they were allowed to pin her insignia on. The joy the felt during their final trip to Disney Land with the grandkids.
Selmak remembered, she was dying and taking Jacob with her. She killed him then they both ascended. He got angry with her. He was returned to his physical form. She followed; it was her punishment. Plus, it was the only way they could be together. The only way she could take care of him.
The only way she could take care of him. Yes, she remembered why now. Before she forgot, Selmak climbed onto Jacob's bed. She saw how badly injured his right side was so she moved to the other side of his bed. Mark tried to grab hold of her.
"No!" she spat slapping his hands away. "I'm staying right here!"
Before Mark could protest, Selmak quickly moved Jacob's left arm and curled up at his side, laying her head in the crook of his shoulder.
"Mark, it's ok. I don't think Dr. Brightman would mind," Sam smiled.
Selmak closed her eyes and wept. She wished she were a symbiote, just one last time. Then she could mend Jacob's injuries. She was so consumed with her grief, that she never noticed that Sam wrapped Jacob's arm around Selmak's little body and pulled the covers over them before she and Mark left.
Again, Selmak cried herself to sleep.
It was the second day in this hell hole. Jake woke up. His body ached. It took all the strength he had left to just sit up against the wall.
'Sel?' he called with his mind.
There was no reply.
'SEL!' he shouted.
His heart raced in fear! He could barely sense her.
'S…'
'You don't have to shout!' she replied weakly.
'Are you alright?' he quickly asked.
'I'm tired, Jacob. I don't know if I can protect you anymore,' she wept.
'Shh, don't cry, Sel. You keep telling me I already have enough water on my brain.'
Sel laughed, as did he. He always felt better when she laughed during stressful times.
'I'm dying Jacob,' she told him gently.
He didn't reply but sent her his emotional support of love and affection. At least, if they were going to die, they would be together.
'Rest, Jacob,' she cooed, making his eyelids feel so heavy that they had no choice but to close.
She instantly made him sleep.
The sound of the heart monitor machine beeping furiously roused her from her slumber. Sitting up she saw she wasn't with Jacob. She had been moved to her own bed a few feet from Jacob.
"Damn Doctors!" she cursed quietly, getting off her bed.
Jacob was having a whopper of a dream from the way his heart was beating. His head rolled back and forth on his pillow. He had a pained expression on his face. He was mumbling something in a Goa'uld dialect she recognized as her own.
From what she understood, Jacob was having a nightmare about being tortured. She vaguely remember something about Sokar and a planet called Netu. Then she heard him calling for her. She quickly climbed onto his bed and rested her hand on his forehead.
"Shh, I'm here Jacob," she cooed softly.
"I can't take the pain anymore, Sel."
"I'm sorry…I can't do anything to help you," she wept.
"Yes you can…you can kill us both!"
"You must not talk that way."
"I won't blame you…promise," he pleaded desperately.
Selmak almost couldn't take it anymore. When she opened her mouth to speak with him, nothing would emanate. She just laid on his chest and hugged him as tightly as she could. It was all she could think to do.
"Sel! Where are you?"
"I'm here, Jacob."
"I couldn't hear you for the longest time."
Sitting up, she saw his face had changed. His heart rate had decreased. The nightmare must have changed.
"Silly, I'm always with you," she replied, remembering it was something she always told him. "Now, go to sleep Jacob. You need to save your strength."
Sel rearranged the covers so she could snuggle against him again. Just when she was ready to fall asleep again he spoke to her.
"Sel?"
"Yes, Jacob," she sighed.
"There's nothing to forgive," he told her.
Looking up at his face, she saw a small smile. She asked him what he meant but he was already snoring softly. She wanted his forgiveness for what she had done to him. But knew that he must have been talking about something else in his dream. She'll ask him later…if she remembers.
It was worth it. Leaving his host. Suffering for days in a holding tank. Even making a deal with these men of the Tau'ri. It was all worth it after learning that the Tok'ra Selmak and the host Jacob had returned from the dead. Castor's plan of revenge was renewed and soon the murderers of his brother Pollux would pay.
The assassins had successfully infiltrated his mother's palace. Pollux, who was not as powerful as his brother Castor, was brutally slain before Castor's own eyes. Castor had been lying on the floor, recovering from a zat'nik'tel blast and was unable to aid his brother. No sarcophagus could heal the damage done when Pollux's head was detached from his body with his own sword.
Since that day Castor dreamed of nothing but revenge. He was so angry when he learned of Selmak and Jacob's death. Their deaths had robbed him of his revenge. His mother could not calm him. In his rage he killed half of her personal servants before her Jaffa were forced to incapacitate him.
It was a chance interception of a communication from deep space that one of Castor's subordinates overheard that set him back on his course. Since that day, Castor has ignored his duties to his own mother knowing that she would forgive him when he returned home with the dead bodies of Pollux's killers.
During his voluntary imprisonment in the holding tank, Castor had thought of how to kill Selmak and Jacob. His mind had been filled with so many possibilities to make them suffer before their deserved deaths. Yet, it wasn't until Castor invaded the body he now possessed that the idea came to him for how to make them suffer dearly.
For what better way than to take over the host, Jacob, then kill the symbiote, now the child Selmak. The host would suffer greatly as Castor slowly extinguished the child's life. Oh how he relished the idea! His new host would be forced to suffer for as long as Castor was alive. He couldn't think of a better way for his revenge.
But he had to be cautious. He was so close to achieving his goal. He couldn't allow his excitement to distract him. Moving through the tunnels of the SGC he made sure to avoid certain individuals who could sense his presence. Within him, the host's voice was screaming for his colleagues to hear him and help him.
Those cries were only heard by Castor! They gave Castor pleasure to hear them too for a long while before he silenced them!
Castor's patience had paid off. It was early morning, predawn hours. The time device he wore on his wrist displayed four o'clock. The tunnels were deserted, save a few patrolling guards. They saluted him as he strode confidently past them. Even the guards in the security room acknowledged him. Why not? He was their superior officer and trusted him.
Pulling the gun out, Castor put a bullet in each man, killing them instantly. He marveled at the silence of the gun. Quite efficient when you didn't want anyone to hear what you were doing. Even a zat'nik'tel was not so quiet.
After killing the guards, he took a look at the video monitor and saw Selmak the child was with Jacob. Good, that made his job easier. Castor quickly destroyed the monitors and security equipment. Using his host's knowledge, Castor moved to the back wall of the room where he cut the cables for the back up security systems. Once done, he was free to head to Jacob's room.
Again, he walked confidently and in no hurry. He saw no one along the way. At the door, he slowly looked up and down the tunnel. Still, no one was in sight. Opening the door, he entered the room and saw it was as he had seen on the monitor. Only the man and the child occupied it. Jacob's arm was wrapped around the child as she slept snuggled against his chest.
Castor moved across the room to the bed and immediately reached for the girl. Ever fiber of him wanted to strangle her until her small red lips turned blue. It took an incredible amount of restraint for him not to kill her. Instead, he gently lifted her and placed her on the other bed in the room.
"Soon little one," he whispered, kissing her soft blonde hair.
He returned his attention to Jacob. The group of Tau'ri men called the Trust wanted this man's secrets. Castor wanted his revenge. They would get their secrets and he would get his revenge. At last, he would have his revenge! With little effort he released himself from his host. Moving quickly he expelled himself from the body out the man's mouth.
He instantly felt the cool air once he completely left the warmth of the body. There was some mild discomfort when he landed. In the haze of his vision he could see a hand. He could smell the injury. Good! He did not land too far away. Slithering up, Castor came to a rest on Jacob's chest. Pure exhilaration filled him as he raised himself up.
'For you, my brother!' he thought to himself.
Jacob's eyes suddenly opened. The look of total shock caused Castor to hiss in excitement as he reared his head up even high. Then he plunged to take the final step towards achieving his revenge.