Part Two –

Epona rubbed her upper arms idly as she watched the mirror, chewing nervously on her lower lip. Her mother had left hours ago, gently chiding her daughter for watching the mortal world so intently, as though to look away were to miss the most important moment. The fact was she couldn't seem to make herself look away, the feeling of cold dread that had settled in her stomach when she had felt the effect of her mother's decision was just too much to ignore. If he died she had no doubt she would be going with him, at least part of the way. That was something her mother had most likely never expected. Danu didn't understand her children, and though she understood mortals better, even that was a limited understanding, after all how did you understand people who lived such short lives compared to you?

Having a chosen, an immortal linked to you, had a certain level of risk, at least for the 'lesser' among them, their mother had survived the severing of her link easily, brushing off the death of her chosen as unimportant, ignoring the pain it had caused. For others the death of their chosen had pulled them to their father's domain, death claiming a few but most narrowly escaping only to swear never to take another chosen again. The idea of dying was so alien that it had become a shadow over them, a great dark fear that they all shared but refused to admit to. Epona and her sister Belisama however had accepted that one day they would die, happy in the knowledge that they weren't going to spend an eternity mourning the loss of the mortals and immortals that they had allowed themselves to become attached to. Alastair was their chosen, in title more than in any real way, unlike the others Alastair hadn't been born a chosen, he'd been born immortal, and that was it. He wasn't really a chosen, but nor was he a seeker or spell-caster. He had been born before Danu had decided where she wanted immortals to go, what purpose she wanted them to have, before Morrigan had decided to twist their mother's ideas. For eight hundred years the chosen had been the only immortals and then Morrigan had given the gift to the child of one of her worshipers, the child who later became Seryna, Morrigan's chosen, who had led the spell casters and seekers ever since. That one act had changed the balance that their mother had set out to create and had driven their mother to take the fate of the mortal world into her own hands. That had been the first time that they had ever really interfered with the mortal world. Before they had always used mortal messengers to carry out the changes they believed were needed, and then the immortals had taken that place, helping the mortals where ever they could. Danu's actions all those years ago had changed everything, and had laid a very heavy burden on Alastair's shoulders.

And now, Danu was risking everything to teach the mortal world one simple lesson, and Epona couldn't see how her mother could be so certain that she hadn't just signed away the world. She had had Epona's sister, the present overseer of the mortal world, make an immortal mortal, and not just any immortal, she had made Alastair mortal, and had done it at such a time as to put him in danger of his life. If Alastar died, Danu's plan failed, and Morganna won. But Danu just wasn't seeing what was in front of her, she was still stuck in the past, and all Epona could do was hope. Hope that this time her mother's plan worked out.

Daniel lent heavily against the motel's front desk, waiting patiently for the clerk to finish on the phone, his mind running over what few options he had. If Andrew was in town Beatrice wouldn't be far behind. After a hundred years of tracking Seryna's eldest child Bea had it down to a fine art, but somehow Andrew knew where she was. As soon as he had found the message he should have realised that it was his immortal friend that was in trouble rather than his mortal ones, after all it wasn't Andrew's style to kill without playing with his prey first, it just didn't satisfy his needs. Bea, unlike Janet or Sam would provide the 'fun' level that Andrew so enjoyed. She wasn't trained to deal with Andrew's type. She had never really been trained to deal with any type. She had never stayed with a teacher long enough for that, determined to follow Andrew around the world instead of taking the time to learn the skills that as an immortal chosen she would need. The Victorian lady was too headstrong to realise that when she did finally catch up with Andrew she wouldn't survive the encounter. Few ever had.

Smiling politely at the clerk he booked a room for three nights, paying ahead of time so that he wouldn't have to worry about it later. If Bea was in town he needed to find her, and warn her that she had been made. Andrew would strike just when she thought she was safe, while she was in bed sleeping, when she was walking back from the shops, when she put the trash out. Four thousand years of murder made a person very dangerous, especially when you're young and foolish. No matter what happened Daniel was not about to see his young friend killed in cold blood by the murderer of her best friend. He would die before he would allow it to happen.

Jack played idly with the cell phone in his hands as he walked back down the stairs to the ground floor of Daniel's apartment building. Three hours ago when he had phoned to make sure that Daniel had remembered that he needed to be on base that morning for their first briefing since this had all begun, he had just left a message without wondering why the answer phone was still on. Daniel had never been one to leave the machine on if he was in, he preferred to talk to people than have to run from one room to another in a desperate attempt to beat the machine. He should have realised as soon as the machine had picked up that something was wrong, but then, he hadn't been the best friend recently, not without reason, yet he felt guilty about it, about failing to notice or to accept that something was going down, yet again.

He glanced up as he stepped out of the double doors, meeting his second in command's gaze, mutely holding up the cell phone and waving it.

"Sir?"

Jack shrugged. "The apartment's empty, and his journals are all gone. I found this on the bed."

Sam frowned glancing upwards. "That doesn't make any sense, sir. Why would Daniel up and leave without telling us, without even saying goodbye?"

"For the same reason that he lied to us for five years?"

Sam froze staring at him, mouth hanging open.

"Look Carter, whether you like it or not you have got to accept that we still know very little about Daniel, I mean, do we even know what he did before we met him? How do we know that the man we see is the real 'Daniel'?"

Sam shook her head. "Sir, he promised that he'd answer any questions that we wanted answering and so far he has."

Jack shrugged. "Well maybe, we haven't been asking the right questions."

"You think he's gone?"

"I think it could well be a warm day in hell before we ever saw him again. If you ask me, he's been playing us the last week."

"And how's that Colonel?" Jack froze turning slowly on his heel to face the woman who had spoken, taking in her casual clothes and short cropped blonde hair.

"I'm sorry miss?"

"Colonel Isabelle Conway, NID, I think you knew my predecessor, Colonel Simmons?"

Jack's eyes narrowed. "May I ask what brings you to these parts?"

Conway smiled. "The same as brings you Colonel. Doctor Jackson has become quite the enigma of late, and I have every intention of uncovering every little piece of information about that enigma possible."

Sam frowned at the other woman. "Since when did you join the NID?"

"Since you left Washington, congratulations on the promotion by the way, Major, I'm sure you deserved it."

"So you two know one another?" Jack gestured between the two, his eyebrow raised.

"We shared rooms back when we were at the academy."

"Really?"

"Yes sir, but I haven't seen the, colonel, in some time sir."

Conway laughed coolly. "No we haven't have we, we must catch up on old times sometime. However, for now I'd like to offer you a bone, concerning Doctor Jackson's whereabouts, seen as we all seem to be after the same thing."

Jack hesitated, hating that he was being forced to join forces with an NID agent. "Offer away."

"Doctor Jackson left his apartment though the side door." Conway pointed to the picture on the board. "We caught him in the act however and followed him."

General Hammond raised an eyebrow. "So you are aware of his present location?"

"No."

Jack frowned leaning forward. "No?"

"The men watching his apartment were only able to follow him as far as the train station. After that, we lost him."

"Define lost."

"They saw him enter the station, but after that they lost him in the crowd. But, we do know that he didn't leave the station."

"How do you how that for sure colonel?"

"They remained on the entrances and exits for over an hour."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Could he not have left later?"

Conway snorted. "No, I assure you, he didn't."

"Were they witness to his entrance, or merely his approach?"

"They saw him enter Mister Teal'c."

Jack frowned. "T?"

"I do not believe that DanielJackson entered as Colonel Conway is so sure he did. It would have been a simple matter of appearing to enter but breaking off at the last moment, giving the appearance that he has travelled elsewhere."

Sam winced glancing downwards. "Teal'c it's more likely that Daniel left after all…"

"He did not." Teal'c stiffly cut Sam off. "If he was lost in the crowd as Colonel Conway has stated it would have been possible for him to leave unnoticed would it not?"

"It makes more sense that he left T. Why stay?"

"If you were being followed O'Neill, would you not do the opposite of what those following expected?"

Hammond smiled faintly leaning forward. "You're saying that Doctor Jackson was aware he was being watched, and so laid a diversion, to make us all believe that he's left?"

"Indeed."

Conway frowned leaning on the briefing table. "You're saying that you do think Doctor Jackson is running, or, are you trying to suggest the opposite?"

"Why would Daniel Jackson leave after all that he has been through recently?"

Conway smiled coldly. "Perhaps, because of all that he's been through recently. Maybe the SGC wasn't worth it after all?"

Teal'c returned her glare passively, ignoring her challenge.

Jack shook his head slowly. "T's right though. If I knew I was being followed I'd leave a false trail and despite everything, I can't truly believe that he'd just go like this."

Conway arched an eyebrow. "I'm amazed that you've retained such faith in a man who lied to you for over five years and who, as a consequence, you barely know."

George Hammond smiled. "Strangely Colonel, I'm not at all surprised. Once a person saves your life, you find it pretty hard not to trust them."

Sam ducked her head to hide a smile, remembering how hard the other woman had found it to make friends at the academy. Isabelle valued her career more than she had ever valued the time it took to make friends.

Conway straightened. "Forgive me general but I'm just surprised to hear such a turn around from Colonel O'Neill, after all Colonel, what was it you said? It'd be a cold day in hell?"

Jack's eyes narrowed. "I'm giving my opinion based on the evidence you've presented Colonel, nothing more."

She smiled coolly, before breaking off to frown at the cell phone on the table. "Perhaps you should answer that."

Jack frowned reaching forward to pick it up, searching for the right button before holding it up to his ear. "Hello?"

He stiffened. "Daniel?"

Daniel shifted his weight, tapping his hand on the plastic window of the phone box while he waited for someone to pick up, blue eyes scanning his surroundings. "Jack."

He smiled at the surprise in his best friend's voice as he answered, relieved that it wasn't anger. "I can't explain right now Jack, but you've got to trust me."

"Why?"

"Look, I know that the NID were watching me, and that they have been for over two weeks now, I'm still in Springs, but there's a situation I need to deal with before I can come back."

"A situation?"

Daniel winced. Yeah. Look, I don't know much myself, all I know is that one of the bad guys is in town, and a friend's in danger."

"A friend?"

Daniel smiled. "Yeah a friend, she doesn't know she's been made and I need to do whatever I can to keep her safe."

"Daniel, look, we need you here."

Daniel sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Jack, but I won't risk her life just to keep your trust. I can't just stand back and watch people be killed. I need to do this."

He heard Jack sigh on the other end, as he lent his weight against the box, hating what he was being forced to give up. "We could help you, you know that right?"

Daniel smiled faintly. "I know, I wish you could, but it's not safe. Not even for me anymore."

"Danny, are we going to see you again?"

Daniel closed his eyes. "I don't know."

"You don't know?"

Daniel shook his head. "I'm sorry Jack, I know you don't believe me. A week ago I could have said yes you will but now, I'm not so sure. I'll, contact you again soon I promise. I've, got to go now."

"Danny, good luck."

Daniel smiled. "Thanks. Bye Jack."

He slid the phone neatly back onto it's prop taking a deep breath before pushing the door open and stepping back out into the open air. All he could do now was hope that he would come out the other side of this, but, the way things had been going, it was a forlorn hope.

Andrew's eyes narrowed as he watched the old man from his position on a nearby rooftop, it was all too obvious to him that the old man was losing his touch and not only that, he was being careless with the lives of others. If he felt like it he could find out where the mortals his brother had told him Alastair was so attached to were and take them out one by one, but he had other matters to deal with. Namely the girl chosen they called Beatrice. The chosen one of Aine, who believed she had what it took to catch him and kill him. Andrew snorted, rising from his crouch to trail Alastair as he wandered the streets of Colorado Springs, wary of giving any sign that he was following. How that snip of a girl could even think that she had any chance of getting close to him he didn't know, but it had gone on for long enough. He didn't appreciate it when someone else followed his hunts without his permission. They were private, for his own enjoyment, not for the entertainment of others. The nosey little brat had no right to come alone sticking her nose where it didn't belong.

First he was going to deal with her, and then, once she was out of his way, he would play his games with Alastair for a little while. Kristophe wanted one of the mortals he was friendly with and he had no doubt that there was someone suitable for his own interests among them. It would be fun, to play games with another immortal after so long. Smiling Andrew ducked under an over hang, watching as Alastair turned down a side street, enjoying the place that his mind was taking him.

Jack placed the cell phone down on the briefing table carefully, ignoring the looks he was getting as he tried to process the information that he had just been given. What little that was.

"Daniel's still in Springs like we thought."

"There's a 'but' coming I suppose" He ignored the sarcasm from his NID counterpart glancing instead towards the head of the table and his CO.

"Sir, he said that there's a situation that he has to deal with, before he can come back."

Hammond frowned heavily. "Colonel,"

Jack cut the elder man off, shrugging apologetically. "I'm sorry sir, but he said he couldn't tell me any more than that."

Conway snorted. "I got the distinct impression Colonel, that Doctor Jackson has no intention of returning."

Jack winced refusing to answer and lie to his superior officer in front of the NID officer who would undoubtedly turn it against him later if he did.

"Colonel?"

"Daniel doesn't think he'll be able to come back sir."

Hammond frowned at his second in command, not understanding how the man hadn't thought it important to mention from the get to go.

"Doesn't think he'll be able?" Conway snorted shaking her head in disgust. "I'm sorry colonel but that just isn't good enough. Doctor Jackson is a security threat to this base, not to mention an invaluable resource. After all, he's the only immortal that we have."

Sam bit her lip, fighting the urge to point out that Daniel was irreplaceable, immortal or not, Isabelle wouldn't care, it was obvious that Daniel's immortality was the only reason she was helping them at all, no doubt her superiors wanted to keep their hands on the only immortal that they had, whatever the cost.

"What are you suggesting?"

"Well sir, with your permission of course, I would like to start a full search of Colorado Springs."

Hammond eyes narrowed. "You have your orders Colonel."

Isabelle smiled coolly. "Yes sir, but I don't have enough men to carry out a search of that size. Nor do I have the in depth knowledge of the target that your people do."

"I would have to take that up with my superiors."

"Of course."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow exchanging a look with O'Neill as the woman settled into her chair, a sickly sweet smile plastered across her face as she watched the general head off to his office to make some phone calls. Arrogance seemed to be a common quality in the leaders of the NID, past and present.

"Do you carry chocolate everywhere?"

Miles chuckled shaking his head faintly. "I don't know, you young ones have no sense of charity. I can still remember the times that you could offer shelter to your neighbour without fearing a witch hunt, but then I suppose that's just a sign of my age."

Beatrice smiled warmly shaking her head. "On the contrary, there's nothing wrong with having a kind heart, even in these cold times."

Miles raised an eyebrow. "And there was me thinking I sounded old. By God, Alastair sounds younger than the both of us, he's never one to comment on how times have changed, at least not when he thinks he'll be caught doing it."

Bea laughed, eyes shining. "Put us all in a room and nobody would be able to tell you who's the oldest and who's the youngest. I would wager that most mortals would place Alastair as the youngest."

Miles smiled. "Are you really willing to bet on that lass?"

Bea raised an eyebrow. "Why? What has happened?"

Miles shrugged. "You're out of touch lass, that's a dangerous thing."

Bea frowned leaning forward. "Of all people Miles, I would never have put you down as someone who would think to lecture me on being out of touch."

"Times change lass."

"As I am well aware."

Miles shook his head mutely, standing and moving over to his fireplace. "Not aware enough."

Bea's eyes narrowed. "I am not a child Miles."

"I'm not so sure about that, you act far too much like one."

"I am not one of your students Miles, don't you dare presume to lecture me on my immortal life."

Miles frowned at the younger immortal. "You were my student once, not so many years ago Beatrice, or have you forgotten?"

"I have had many teachers, Miles."

"Too many."

Beatrice jumped, swinging around to face the intruder, eyes wide. "Alastair?"

Daniel smiled faintly stepping down from the entranceway. "Beatrice. Miles."

"What are you doing here?"

"Covering your back."

Bea snorted in disgust. "I can look out for myself old man."

Daniel arched an eyebrow. "Really? Then how is it that Andrew knows you're here?"

Bea froze eyes widening. "Andrew?"

Miles shook his head slowly, eyes bright with denial. "There's no way,"

Daniel swiped a hand through the air cutting the other man off mid sentence. "Andrew knows, and you're his new hunt."

Bea shook her head laughing coldly. "I know how to cover my tracks old man, do not play with me."

Blue eyes narrowed. "Believe it or not Beatrice, you still have a lot to learn."

"Perhaps, but I've learned all there is to know about tracking our fellows."

Daniel shook his head, "Obviously you haven't learned as much as you think you have."

"I would know if he knew."

"Would you?"

Beatrice hesitated, before shaking her head slowly, "How could he know? I was careful." She dropped silently into the chair, resting her head in her hands. "Who would tell him?"

"Anyone of many."

"Why?"

Daniel sighed. "You never listened girl, we told you so often that by refusing to keep to any one teacher you'd never learn what you needed to survive. There are so many out there who don't have our best interests at heart, so many that would see us all dead. You've been careless, and now you're to pay the price."

"He's right lass, there's so much you haven't learnt, so much that you may never learn now. We should have seen this coming." Miles intoned solemnly, his eyes distant.

Bea's head jerked up and she looked from one man to the other. "What do you mean? I'm not going to die, not now." Looking desperately from one to the other, her hands covering her stomach, her eyes glistening in the room's artificial light. "You are going to help me, aren't you?"

Daniel sighed, sliding his long overcoat down over his arms. "We'll do what we can. But it may be a case of too little too late."

Miles nodded grimly. "Andrew won't rest until you're dead and there is only so much that we can do."

Bea sniffed, shaking her head. "What are you saying?"

Daniel met her gaze steadily across the room. "You made your choice Beatrice, when you swore that you would kill him, or die trying. That oath means that none of us can kill Andrew. Unless, you die."

Bea blinked, a single tear sliding down her face. "Why?"

"Because an immortal's oath is binding."

"I never knew." The soft admission sent a shiver down Daniel's spine.

"You never wanted to know."

Bea swallowed hard, her pride not allowing her any release. "How can you help me?"

Miles winced shielding away from the question, shaking his head in defeat. "I don't know lass, I honestly don't know. We can but try."

Bea snorted derisively. "Just try?"

Daniel knelt in front of her, meeting her gaze solemnly, his expression solemn, prepared to do what he knew he had to do. What he'd known he would have to do from the moment he'd found that note in his apartment. "I didn't come here to prepare you to die, I came here to give you something that could help and to say goodbye."

Miles started staring at the other man. "Alastair?"

Daniel smiled crookedly. "He followed me here Miles. I'm no fool. I know what I need to do, and what it'll cost me."

Bea shook her head. "I don't understand."

Daniel smiled bitterly. "Yes you do lass, you just haven't realised it yet."

She stared at him, her brown eyes wide. Playing his coat across his arms Daniel carefully withdrew a sword, turning it in his hands to offer it to her. "Take it."

Bea shook her head numbly. "No, I can't take it."

Reaching out he gently placed her hand on the sword's hilt. "She's yours," smiling as she continued to shake her head in denial he covered her hand with his own, "you need her more than I do, I can't take her where I'm going."

Miles placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently, his expression grim. "Take the sword lass."

Bea glanced up at him, before swallowing hard and pulling the broadsword onto her lap, unconsciously stroking the sheath for a moment before meeting Daniel's gaze again. "Thank you."

Daniel smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "You have an oath to keep."

Bea nodded solemnly. "Whatever it is you are about to do, you needn't"

Daniel sighed shaking his head. "One thing you learn with age, all things happen for a reason."

She raised an eyebrow in question, her head tilted to one side. "Meaning?"

Daniel laughed. "Meaning that I need to do this."

Miles shook his head slowly. "Why?"

"Because, I don't believe in coincidence."

am starting to feel like i'm the only one still reading...lol... please read and review, it'll help the muses along...they're only four stories in and only one person's spoken to them...