Note – just so that no one's confused and in case I haven't said before – this ain't no highlander crossover – there be a Xena cross but no Highlander – that would be whole 'nother kettle of fish!Sorry if I've confused anyone with anything so far! - I promise that it'll all make sense – eventually… comeon – it's a part work for god's sake, give me time! It'll make snese in the end...maybe.Sorry it's taken so long i lost the net fo two weeks - enjoy.

Part One –

"He's playing his games again." The young woman cradled her cup in her hands as she watched the street through the window, a light dusting of make-up highlighting her pale complexion.

"How bad?"

"A girl, about twenty I'd say, she was a student at the university, it upset a lot of people."

Brown eyes flicked to her companion. "Where is he now?"

With a negative shake of his head her companion sighed. "Don't have a clue, moved on to another city, another girl I suppose."

She shuddered. "We need to stop him, now before the number gets any higher, it's wrong that we haven't stopped him before."

Her companion nodded solemnly. "We are all well aware of that lass, but his mother has kept him too close for us to have been able to do so without full out war. I don't mean to be cruel, but you're too involved in this."

Her eyes darkened and she glared at him across the table. "Who isn't? Apart from you and the warrior princess, that is, those of us that keep mortals at a distance. He has touched us all, he's made sure of it. Just wait, you'll be next."

"Mayhap I will, but I want you to promise me you'll watch yourself Bea, this isn't your battle alone."

Beatrice lent forward in her chair meeting his gaze solidly. "That animal mutilated my best friend for his own enjoyment, if he were mortal they would have hung him, as it is he deserves a long and painful final death. I don't care whose child he may be, I won't let it go on."

Nodding sadly her elder companion held out a small wallet to her. "From what I can tell he's headed to America, and whether you like it or not you are going to need help. Take these, they'll get you to Colorado Springs, you'll find help there. And mind I don't hear next of your death at his hands. Forget your pride for once, you can't do this alone, few could."

Beatrice hesitated before taking his offering, glancing down at the papers she stood slowly, moving around the table to hug her friend. "Thank you."

Nodding he smiled faintly. "Good luck lass." She smiled, dropping some change onto the table, before staring once more into his pale blue eyes.

"I'll be careful and come home to you, I promise."

Daniel watched mutely as Jack paced the kitchen more or less yelling into the phone, while pressing an icepack carefully against his burn, wincing as it pressed against the already forming blister. None of this made sense, immortality couldn't be lost, you either were or weren't. There wasn't a money back guarantee if you're not completely satisfied clause, there was nothing. As far as he knew the only way to stop being immortal was to die your final death, be it by decapitation or on your own weapon. Those were the only ways he knew of, but he wasn't exactly thinking straight.

Five and a half millennia as an immortal versus thirty-six years as a mortal left him feeling a little lost, he had grown so used to the constant feeling that was his immortality, or rather had been. He was mortal again, and he had no idea how to deal with it. Jack's reaction hadn't helped, maybe he had been hoping for too much too soon, after all how could he expect them to really trust him after everything. Frowning at his hand he idly wondered when exactly he had become so reliant on his body's extraordinary abilities to heal small things like paper cuts and burns. He had tried so hard not to be dependent on it for the bigger things that he hadn't even realised that he was ignoring the little things and now they were coming back to haunt him. Was there a way to tell an immortal just by his behaviour, or was it really so dependent upon the one immortal could sense another? Was there any recent injuries that hadn't quite been healed completely that might come back to bite him in the ass? Was there anybody in town who might be after his blood, and if so, what could he do? Stand and fight as a mortal or hide away and hope that his immortality would return to him?

Daniel scowled, not believing that the thought had even entered his mind that he would even consider hiding away somewhere, wasting what little could be left of his life.

Daniel froze, feeling the blood run from his face once more, the reality of it all finally hitting him. It had been millennia since he had had to worry about mortality, about how short a mortal life could be for the one living it. It was no longer a question of when in the centuries ahead he would bite the big one, it was now only a matter of decades, he didn't have all the time in the world, he had mere moments.

He stared numbly at the wall in front him wondering if any of his mortal friends ever had days like the one he was having, when their age finally hit them and they realised how little time there was. Dread pitted in his stomach as he considered the other option that he had, if he were to remain mortal, that his age would finally catch him, leaving him to age in a matter of days, to the point when his aged body could survive no more. Was it possible that that was how he was about to end his days? How could his life be so carelessly be thrown away by some action he didn't understand? All that he understood was that it was some kind of lesson, and it wasn't him that it was aimed at.

He shuddered silently, not wanting to think about the fact that he was being used. Used as an object lesson to others, in ignorance of how it might affect him.

Miles glared at the airport's overhead screens, wondering if there had ever been a time when they had been accurate or if that was something that the mortal technicians that worked on them were still hoping to correct. He had never been much of a fan of technology, it was too unreliable, though even he would admit that on some nights, it was nice to have the small TV set in his lounge. His visitor was now over an hour late, though whether that was because he had been given the wrong information or because of delays on flights he couldn't be sure.

His eyes narrowed as the time for the flight he was waiting for changed yet again and he wondered if it had even been worth getting out of bed. Some days it just didn't seem like it. Glancing down he smiled kindly at the young girl who had tugged on his arm, squatting down so that he was on her level. "Can I help you?"

The girl smiled back before pointing towards the gate. "She told me to tell you she's here."

Miles looked in the direction that she was pointing meeting Beatrice's gaze quickly. "That was mighty kind of you dear, now I think your parents are waiting for you." Pulling a bar of chocolate from his back pocket he handed it to the girl, eyes sparkling as he watched her excited hands take it from him. "That's a little thank you from me. Now run along before you get into any more trouble."

He watched smiling as the girl ran back to her parents before calmly turning and walking over to where Beatrice was waiting.

Embracing his young friend gently, his smile widened as he took in her appearance.

"You're looking well."

She smiled softly nodding. "I feel it, though Andrew is still a weight on my heart."

Miles nodded grimly. "On all our hearts I'm afraid Bea lass. He's that type."

Daniel sighed watching silently as Jack and Sam continued to argue over the authenticity of his claim, wondering when it was going to stop, after all there was only so much crap that a guy could take, especially since he had just had his life turned on its tail for some unknown reason. Though he had a feeling that 'gods' and 'lesson' would come into any explanation he was likely to be given. That was the problem when the only other immortal within two states was an 'ex-priest', any question was always answered with something that sounded oddly like a sermon, though he wouldn't put it past Miles to have a list of speeches that applied to every situation he could think of. After all the man hadn't exactly chosen the best time in history to become a priest. Glancing sideways Daniel met Teal'c's gaze and smiled despite himself, the other man looked just as fed up with the other two as he felt. Maybe it wasn't just the 'newly' mortal who found some arguments annoying. Looking around Daniel smiled leaning past Jack to grab the chessboard and mutely starting to set it up on the table between him and Teal'c. That way, however long it took for Jack and Sam to think to ask him a question he wouldn't be fast asleep when they did.

"It just isn't possible!" Jack yelled waving a hand and knocking on Daniel's arm just as he reached across to move his pawn out of the way of Teal'c's knight, effectively moving another of Daniel's pawns instead. Daniel glared at his friend, pushing him sideways, while mutely conceding the unwanted move to Teal'c.

"I agree with you sir, but didn't we say exactly the same thing about immortality?" Sam answered, narrowly avoiding Teal'c's queen as she dropped her empty cup onto the table. Teal'c graced her with a disgusted look before moving the cup off the game board and making his next move. Eventually they were going to have to intercede in the argument, if they wanted to finish their chess game themselves.

"Oh come-on Carter, the evidence was pretty much shoved in our faces wasn't it, in this case, the only evidence we have is a burn!" Daniel jerked sideways grabbing Jack's hand a millisecond before it knocked his knight off the board, enough was enough.

"And the kind of evidence you'd need Jack, I'm not about to risk, I would much rather live knowing that I'm mortal while the rest of you keep on in denial than let myself get killed. I mean, if I am mortal like I'm saying I am, won't I DIE this time?"

Sam blinked mouth open while Jack stared blankly at him. Teal'c on the other hand was taking his move as though nothing had happened. Reaching sideways with his free hand Daniel moved his queen before turning his full attention back to Sam and Jack.

"I'm mortal, that's the way it is. And I don't want anybody else to know, not Janet, not Hammond, not anybody, that's the way it has to be."

Jack jerked his hand back and his eyes narrowed. "They need to know…."

Daniel slashed a hand through the air. "No, they don't, because if they know, everybody knows. I am not about to become a guinea pig, not for anyone, or anything."

Sam blinked glancing at Jack for a moment before nodding mutely. "My lips are sealed for now, but, just for the record, I think Janet at least should know."

Jack nodded slightly in agreement before glancing at the chessboard as through seeing it for the first time. Reaching out he mutely moved Daniel's queen into check mate, shrugging at the death glare he received from Teal'c.

"You've got a week to deal with this Danny, and then we're telling the General."

"I know how to make a woman feel wanted." The man stretched himself out on the long sofa, smiling coldly at his companion. "You, dear brother, know nothing of women."

Merritt glared at his older brother, ignoring the looks they were drawing from the other people in the teeming club. "I don't have time for this type of conversation brother. You called me here for a reason."

Andrew groaned dramatically sneering playfully at his younger brother. "Must you always be so business like? Have some fun for once. Take the time to enjoy yourself!"

Merritt snorted. "I don't enjoy your idea of fun brother."

Andrew pursed his lips, glaring at his brother. "Oh yes, you always have been mother's biggest disappointment haven't you?"

Shaking his head Merritt lent forward. "Our sister is our mother's biggest disappointment, or have you forgotten that Andrew? Mother has a plan, and I have every intention of helping her, whatever it is you want from me brother, if it threatens our mother's plans, I will not help you. In fact I may well do the opposite and tell that pretty little chosen where you are so she can finally end your sorry excuse for a life. If she's capable of course."

Andrew's nostrils flared and he straightened in his seat. "That little girl is no more capable of defeating me than any other. Do you really believe that any of your threats will sway me brother?

"I have no intention of wasting my eternity doing the tediousness that you and mother find so satisfying, I have no interest in the silly little war between us and the chosen. Why waste all the time in the world on war, when you could be having sooo much fun?"

Merritt sneered at his brother in disgust. "Even mother is tiring of you brother, if I were you I would start to watch my back, you never know who might be after your head."

Andrew laughed. "Mother doesn't care what I do, as long as I don't decide to help them. She's never been one to discourage my kind of fun."

Merritt shuddered faintly shaking his head. "If I cared I think I'd worry about you, as it is, I'm worried about the attention you're drawing to us. All of us. In this day and age mortals have the technology to catch men like you brother, everywhere you go you leave a mark. One day soon they are going to see you for what you really are and when that day comes brother, even our mother will not bother to defend you. In future, I would take more care if I were you."

Andrew glowered. "I asked you here for help Merritt not for some lecture on my behaviour."

Leaning forward Merritt raised his eyebrows. "Then ask brother."

"You know where the girl is?"

Merritt smiled nodding. "I do."

Andrew smiled darkly leaning in to meet his brother. "Then tell me."

Daniel sighed running his fingers over the tablet in front of him idly as he tried to figure out what the translation actually meant. Nothing was making sense at the moment, but he was determined that he would get something done, at least, it was that or surrender to Jack and go to Janet and see if she could give him an answer to why he was feeling so off. After all it was impossible for an immortal to become mortal.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose impatiently he took a deep breath before opening his reference books again, was it really too much to expect Jack to trust his own judgement? Did Jack really need the evidence to be put on the table in front of him, or was it just the other man's way of dealing with everything that had happened?

Slamming the book shut again Daniel groaned inwardly, wondering if he was ever going to get any work done ever again. Taking a deep breath he stood up and wandered over to his coffee machine, running the idea of an early night over in his head, knowing that if he stayed it would take him at least another five hours to get the translation, which would normally have only taken two, done. He just had too much on his mind to honestly continue on with life as though nothing had happened, but if he asked for a sick day Hammond would most defiantly smell a rat and he couldn't risk it. As it stood he had the Tok'ra and NID waiting for him to slip so they could take the opportunity to examine a real life immortal, admitting that he thought that he was no longer an immortal would probably make the pentagon consider locking him away in another padded cell. Daniel shuddered at the thought. The last time had been bad enough, and that time he had been pretty out of it, he couldn't imagine being in a place like that when he was totally sane, unaffected by any sadistic alien technology.

Glancing at his watch he hesitated for a moment before wandering back over to his computer, saving his work and logging out of his area, waiting patiently till it was ready to be turned off. An early night was just what he needed, it meant that he might just be able to get some sleep, or at the very least, some rest from everything. As quiet as the corridor outside his office tended to be, it just wasn't quiet enough, nor did it have the same comforts as his apartment. It was hard to feel relaxed as far underground as they were, he had always preferred the open air, especially when he had something on his mind. His first wife had always joked about his tendency to take his blanket outside at night whenever he had anything on his mind, but she had understood it. He hadn't had a good childhood, fear of his father had led to him feeling more secure outside of their home, where his father would never come looking if he woke in the night with an urge to punish his youngest son.

Pulling his coat on he glanced around the office. The feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach was making him wonder if he would ever see it again. He knew that it was a silly worry, after all two days had passed without him showing any signs of rapid aging. He'd be in his office again the next morning, keeping to his normal routine, trying to be normal.

"You got your way mother."

"Yes. It was the right decision to make, even if you don't see it."

The younger woman nodded solemnly. "You wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary, I understand that much."

Black eyes took in her daughter as she stood calmly gazing into the mirror, continuing to watch over her friend. "What don't you understand?"

"Why you did it now, after everything that has happened of late, why choose now, this moment in time to do this?"

"Because it was the perfect time."

"Don't lie mother. We both know this isn't how you intended it to happen. You intended it to happen months ago, before it had come to this. You know as well as I do what a risk it is. What happens if your plan fails and her's succeeds?"

The elder woman straightened stiffly. "She's just another one of your sister's tools Epona. How could her plan succeed over mine?"

Epona snorted sweeping her roan hair out of her face. "How arrogant of you to say so mother. How ever could some mere immortal's plan work over yours? After all you are the mother of the gods."

"You forget yourself."

"No, you forget yourself mother. This is a turning point, a time when the world is beyond even your control. This is one of those times when only mortals can control what happens. Though I must say it came as a surprise to me. Normally times like these only come around when they're at war with one another."

"Such a dark prophecy child."

Epona smiled lopsidedly at her mother. "No mother, not dark, just realistic."

Daniel frowned pushing his door open slowly, the feeling of dread that he had had earlier returning with a vengeance. He was sure that he had locked his door when he had left in the morning. It was one of the things he always made sure he remembered to do, the security of his home was important. Ducking down slightly he checked the phone cable. Satisfying himself that it was still connected he continued scanning for any sign of intruders, wary of who it could be. The list of people after him had grown in length somewhat over the past few months, nothing like being the 'only' known immortal to make you wanted. Walking past his couch he checked that the door out onto his balcony was locked before checking each room in turn, only to come up empty.

An empty apartment was somehow scarier than an occupied one. Going back to his front door he picked up his shopping, shutting his door and dumping the bags on the work surface before turning his attention to seeing if anything was missing. Half an hour later coming up empty yet again he put his shopping away and walked back to his front door and the phone table. Scanning it he frowned. Kneeling down he pulled a small folded slip of paper out from between the phone books.

Flipping it open he stiffened, this so wasn't happening.

You're getting soft old man. I got in far too easily. Don't worry I didn't take anything; I just thought you might like to know that I'm in town.

I'd just love to see you again soon; it's always been such a pleasure,

Andrew x

Daniel shuddered, as he folded the letter up and pushed it into his back pocket. He needed to get out, and fast. Knowing Andrew he was in for a big, painful surprise, which he just couldn't afford anymore. A week before hand and he would never have considered fleeing his own home, but as it was he still wasn't sure of the limits of his apparent mortally, and he had no wish to test them unless it was completely necessary. Heading into his bedroom he pulled out his overnight bag and set about packing everything that he would need, dumping his cell phone onto his bed, knowing that the best thing he could do was hide out until he figured out what exactly was going on. He had history with Andrew, a history that wasn't so easily forgotten by either side.

Jack would probably kill him, if ever saw the other man again, after all it could turn out either way, good or bad, and he might not be coming back from this. The darkness was slowly closing in on him, just as he had feared it would. He had spent too long in the same place, broken his own rules, become too involved with the mortal world and this was the price, mortality and an immortal enemy.

Pulling a hockey stick bag out of the very back of his closet he pulled his weapons chest out from under his bed. The overnight bag was already full of his journals and a few odd pieces of clothing, not enough to keep a person going, but he wasn't worried about that, he had stuff like that where he was going. It was his personal items that he was packing, just in case. As much as he would regret it, if push came to shove he could strip himself of everything that made Daniel Jackson Daniel Jackson, and take another identity if he had to. It was a necessary evil of immortal life, one that he had done more times than he could remember. All that he knew was that some days, it was hard to remember where the part ended and Alastair began.

And as ever - reviews are welcome!